We’d grown used to anonymous quotes from Vikings players about the coaching during the Brad Childress era because when those quotes were attributed to a specific player, it was sayonara (see Marcus Robinson).
It was fascinating to read, then, one week into Leslie Frazier‘s tenure, Jeremy Fowler‘s piece in the PiPress about Lito Sheppard lamenting his lack of playing time and that he doesn’t know what the coaching staff expects of him.
You’d think this is something Sheppard would want to keep in house, what with a new head coach and potentially a fresh start.
Besides, Sheppard isn’t from here, so there’s less of a chance it’s some kind of Minnesota passive/aggressive thing.
KLUWE FEATURED
Chris Kluwe was the topic of a very nice feature by Star Tribune‘s Chip Scoggins that’s definitely worth a read, if you missed it.
But then after you’ve read it, head on over to Kluwe’s Twitter account to read his Tweets about his teammates’ reactions to the article:
Center John Sullivan: “Isn’t the Sports section for athletes?”
Fellow kicker Ryan Longwell: “I thought you had to be good at your position to get an article written about you.”
Long-snapper Cullen Loeffler: He was too busy projectile vomiting to say anything. He immediately regretted contributing a quote.
But the best was the video clip posted by Andrew Reiner, Kluwe’s bandmate from his band Tripping Icarus, of Kluwe dancing. [WATCH Chris Kluwe Dance.]
WALKING WOUNDED
Vikings: Running back Adrian Peterson (sprained right ankle), quarterback Brett Favre (body), defensive end Ray Edwards (right ankle sprain); left guard Steve Hutchinson (thumb), and wide receiver Greg Lewis (concussion) did not practice yesterday.
Wide receivers Percy Harvin (illness) and Sidney Rice (hip), safeties Husain Abdullah (ankle) and Jamarca Sanford (hamstring), and cornerback Chris Cook (knee) were limited.
Wide receiver Bernard Berrian (groin) and safety Eric Frampton (hamstring) participated fully.
Bills: Starters right guard Eric Wood (ankle), left tackle Demetrius Bell (knee), cornerback Terrence McGee (knee); linebackers Chris Kelsay (illness) and Reggie Torbor (shoulder); and defensive end Dwan Edwards (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday. Nor did tight end Shawn Nelson (illness) and nose tackle Torell Troup (fibula).
Running back C.J. Spiller (hamstring) and defensive end Spencer Johnson (hamstring) were limited.
THROWBACK THURSDAY
In honor of former Vikings receiver Cris Carter‘s inclusion in this year’s Hall of Fame semifinalists, I posted a great NFL Films episode of In Their Own Words featuring Carter. [WATCH Cris Carter: In His Own Words.]