The differences between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson are so marginal keeping this info secret is rediculous and speaks to why the Mangenius got fired from the jets. Jamal Lewis with his 1.8yds a carry ohhh scary, but wait their scrambling  pocket statue QB will loosen things up with their pedestrian throwing ability and Braylon Edwards will be sure to drop it if they ver get it to him. I predict of lot of passing after the first quarter when they are trailing big! 

Mangini keeping Browns starting QB a secret

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 17 minutes ago

BEREA, Ohio (AP)—Brady Quinn(notes) and Derek Anderson(notes) still don’t know who won their competition. The Vikings are in the dark, too.

Cleveland’s starting quarterback remains Eric Mangini’s secret. And he’ll keep it as long as he can.

Mangini has finally made his choice between Quinn and Anderson, but the Browns’ first-year coach declined to identify who will start Sunday’s season opener against Minnesota. On Monday, he said won’t reveal who will open at QB anytime between now and kickoff.

“In terms of announcing it publicly, that’s not something I plan to do,” he said. “It will be internal. I understand everybody has a different opinion on it. I respect that. I understand the excitement in relationship to that and I respect that as well. But that will be something that will be internal.”

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Before practice, Mangini said he had not yet told the quarterbacks who won the job and that he plans to meet with them individually to discuss his decision.

Months of speculation will last at least a few more days.

Both Quinn and Anderson claimed ignorance about a topic that dominated Cleveland’s training camp and exhibition season.

“I know as much as you guys know,” Anderson said as he dressed at his locker stall.

Quinn didn’t seem to be in any rush to find out.

“I’m not worried about it,” he said. “You guys are more worried about it than I am.”

It was not clear if Mangini talked to either of the players following his news conference and before practice. During the 30 minutes the workout was open to the media, both Quinn and Anderson went about their business without any visible signs of a winner—or loser—being declared.

As the players stretched out, Lady Gaga’s hit single “Poker Face” blared through the outdoor speakers, an appropriate tune on another day when Mangini refused to tip his quarterbacking hand.

A former defensive coordinator, Mangini said he wants to keep the Vikings quessing.

“It is more difficult to plan for two (quarterbacks) than it is to plan for one,” he said. “I’m not saying that’s going to be the difference or not the difference, but I know that there is time allotted to that and you can’t put the same amount of time into focusing on one player.”

Vikings coach Brad Childress was asked if the uncertainty of Cleveland’s quarterback would affect Minnesota’s defensive game plan.

“It doesn’t,” he said. “Just schematically, you’re going to go back and look at tape and see what you’ve seen. And then I know, as do our guys, that there will be unscouted looks. They certainly haven’t showed their whole hand, offensively and defensively. So you’re just going back and looking at formation-wise where they’re putting people and what kind of players they are. It will be more about us deploying to what they do.”

Childress’ starter at quarterback was resolved when the club signed Brett Favre(notes). He said he’ll wait until Sunday before choosing Tavaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels(notes) as his backup.

“But at least you know who the starter is here,” he said, playfully jabbing Mangini.

Quinn and Anderson have been competing almost since the moment Mangini was hired as Cleveland’s coach in January. He had no track record with either player and wanted to evaluate them through minicamps, training camp and four exhibition games before making his decision.

Surprisingly, he sat Quinn and Anderson in last week’s preseason finale in Chicago. The pair finished in a virtual statistical stalemate, with Quinn throwing the lone touchdown pass and Anderson tossing two interceptions.

Mangini felt both QBs improved during their battle and said he plans to keep Quinn and Anderson on the roster.

“I have been happy with the progress that both guys made,” he said. “I’m happy with the way they’ve worked. I’m happy with the way they approached this competition, and it’s not always easy to approach a competition in a team fashion, and I respect the way they’ve handled it.”

Wide receiver Joshua Cribbs(notes) said he’s looking forward to Mangini’s secret being revealed.

“Both of them are great quarterbacks,” he said. “You can look at through our preseason and see the success that both of them had. There’s a lot of room for both of them to get better. Yeah, I’m interested and whoever the coach chooses we’re behind him 100 percent.”

Quinn and Anderson are expected to speak with reporters on Wednesday, when they’ll face a barrage of questions. As much as he’d like to control everything, Mangini understands there’s only so much he can do.

“I know how we’re going to approach it and I know that the team should be focused on Minnesota,” he said, “and should be focused on doing everything that we can do to maintain any competitive advantages.”

Sources: Rams down to two

Comment Email Print By Chris Mortensen
ESPN.com
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The St. Louis Rams are closing in on their next head coach, with the decision down to New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

The Rams are trying to commence negotiations with one or both imminently, sources familiar with the talks told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

It has been extremely close between the two candidates. In fact, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Spagnuolo will get the job. But multiple sources have not been able to confirm that, according to Mortensen and ESPN's Ed Werder.

However, a source close to Spagnuolo believes the pendulum has swung his way. That source said there were already parameters in place for a four-year, $11.5 million deal for Spagnuolo.

Another Rams source could not confirm those details.

Garrett had been accompanied by his wife on his visit to St. Louis, but left at noon ET.

One high-ranking Rams source said the team might have a deal done any time this weekend, through Monday.

The strong feeling from inside the organization is that Rex Ryan will be the next Jets coach. Ryan had been the Rams' No. 1 candidate, sources told Mortensen.

I think a free agent aquisition such as this would make the scariest defensive line ever for the Vikes, here is to dreaming!

Peppers won’t sign long-term deal with Panthers

By MIKE CRANSTON, AP Sports Writer 55 minutes ago

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—After spending his entire life in North Carolina, Julius Peppers wants out.

The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has decided he won’t sign a long-term deal with the Carolina Panthers when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 26.

Peppers, who grew up in tiny Bailey, N.C., starred in college at North Carolina and was the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2002, believes Carolina’s defensive system is not for him—even after recording a career-high 14 1/2 sacks this season.

“He loves the state of North Carolina. His family is there. The easier situation for him would be to stay in Carolina,” his agent, Carl Carey, said Saturday. “But the decision that he faced was, do I stay in Carolina and perhaps never reach my full potential? Or do I open myself to the possibilities to finish my career elsewhere? He chose the latter.”

Carey, who first told ESPN.com of Peppers’ decision early Saturday, said Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers use a 4-3 alignment.

“He certainly feels that he can excel and thrive in a 3-4 defense,” Carey said. “He is also open to just another system in general that will allow him to maximize his athletic abilities.”

Peppers’ decision leaves the Panthers with a big decision to make.

The team could place the franchise tag on Peppers, which would virtually force him to stay with the Panthers. Under that scenario, another team could sign Peppers only by giving Carolina two first-round draft picks in return.

But doing that would mean the Panthers would have to give Peppers a one-year deal worth a whopping $16.7 million. And Peppers could also decide to hold out.

The Panthers used the franchise tag this season on starting left tackle Jordan Gross, who’ll also become an unrestricted free agent and command a large contract, leaving the Panthers’ with salary-cap concerns.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, who was informed of Peppers’ decision in a meeting with Carey in Houston on Thursday, did not immediately return a phone call Saturday seeking comment.

The Panthers have been trying to sign Peppers to an extension for the past two years. But Peppers, in a statement released by Carey, said he wants to go elsewhere.

“I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field,” Peppers said. “I strongly feel that making a move at this time is in my best interest. I appreciate the entire Panthers organization and am thankful for the seven seasons I’ve spent with the team.”

Peppers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft, became a starter from Day One. A freakish athlete, the 6-foot-7 Peppers reached the Pro Bowl three consecutive years from 2004-06 before an awful 2007 season where he recorded only 2 1/2 sacks.

The Panthers moved Peppers from left defensive end to the right side this season, and his big numbers returned and he was picked for the Pro Bowl again. However, Peppers was held to two tackles and no sacks in the Panthers’ shocking 33-13 NFC divisional playoff loss to Arizona last weekend.

The defeat was part of a late-season defensive swoon for Carolina, which allowed 30 or more points in six of its last seven games.

“Julius has tremendous respect for the coaching staff and he has never been the type of guy that has wanted to change anything that the coaching staff was doing,” Carey said. “He has submitted to their defense and has tried his very best to operate within it.

“He feels that despite the accolades and the achievements that he still has something more offer. He feels that it’s going to take a new system in order for that talent that he still has within himself to be tapped.”

I was laughing so hard watching the 70+ TD run by McGahee, that when McClain had an 82 yd TD run moments later, I was then laughing so hard that I started to cry it was so funny watching "America's Team" get their ass handed to them during the love fest by the NFL for the final game in Texas stadium. Fielding a team of supposedly 24 probowlers or something based on the media they might not even make the playoffs now.

Passing
Minnesota	Comp	Att	Yds	Pct	Y/A	Sack	YdsL	TD	Int	Rating
T. Jackson	11	17	163	64.7	9.6	3	6	4	0	135.5

 

Rushing
Minnesota	Rush	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FumL
A. Peterson	28	165	5.9	32	0	0
C. Taylor	10	66	6.6	20	0	1

Receiving
Minnesota	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
B. Wade	2	67	33.5	59	1
B. Berrian	1	41	41.0	41	1
C. Taylor	4	37	9.3	11	1
V. Shiancoe	1	8	8.0	8	0
S. Rice	1	6	6.0	6	1
N. Tahi	2	4	2.0	4	0

Well I am happy this issue has basically been put to rest and Tarvaris will get his second chance.

Jackson expected to start; Frerotte has fracture

December 10th, 2008 – 7:11 PM by Judd Zulgad

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is expected to start for the Vikings on Sunday at Arizona, although team officials are believed to be holding out hope that Gus Frerotte will be able to play. According to people with knowledge of the situation, the reality is that Frerotte will miss a week or two because of a fracture in his lower back.

Running back Chester Taylor told WCCO television today that Jackson would be the Vikings’ starting quarterback on Sunday, his first start since Sept. 14 when the Vikings lost to Indianapolis to drop to 0-2 on the season. If Frerotte is sidelined for two weeks that means the earliest he would not return to the starting role would be the regular-season finale against the New York Giants at the Metrodome.

The Vikings could be in position to clinch the NFC North on Sunday, if Chicago losses to New Orleans on Thursday night. The Vikings would then need to beat the Cardinals to capture the division.

 

I decided to flip over and watch a little wrestling tonight and with 20 seconds I see someone in the crowd holding up a sign that made me start bust out laughing. It said "Fire Coach Childress!" now that is one way to get it out there maybe Zygi watches wrestling and saw it too. I think if more people got some tv time holding similiar signs that maybe we could get the message across.

according to the schedule online the Viking preseason game is going to now be replayed tonite at 9:30pm cst. That is great news for those without the local broadcast.  Times below are eastern.

7:00 PM	NFL PRESEASON GAME LIVE	2008 NFL Preseason Game: Washington Redskins vs. New York Jets (LIVE)
10:00 PM	NFL TOTAL ACCESS	NFL Total Access recaps Brett Favre's first game as the Jets' starting quarterback and provides the latest news from training camps around the league.
10:30 PM	NFL PRESEASON GAME	2008 NFL Preseason Game: Minnesota Vikings vs. Baltimore Ravens

With all the hoopla around the Vikes need Brett Farve, I keep seeing all these comments about us needing to walk to superbowl glory this year. However maybe I am still an optimist at heart with all our young talent and long contracts on key players believe that we will be contenders for not only the playoffs but the Superbowl for the next 4-5 years! There is not even the hint of we need to bring in a player like this for one year cause this our only shot. Well let us hear your thoughts.

Poll

How many years do you see the Vikings having a window to win the superbowl?

4%

This year or bust

3 votes

42%

2-3 years

27 votes

29%

3-4 years

19 votes

20%

4-5 years

13 votes

3%

I am a trolling Packer fan and don't think the vikes can ever win

2 votes

64 votes | Poll has closed