Showing posts with label Vikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vikes. Show all posts

Monday, September 24, 2012

Ponder gives Vikes 3 TDs, Niners suffer first loss

CBSSports.com wire reports
Sep. 23, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS -- Christian Ponder didn't flinch against that feisty, swarming San Francisco 49ers defense.

Minnesota's flourishing young quarterback engineered a stunning victory after two of his more-decorated division peers fell well short. Ponder threw two touchdown passes to tight end Kyle Rudolph and ran for another score to help the Vikings hand the 49ers their first defeat, 24-13 on Sunday.

"It's big, more for people outside this organization than us. We're already confident in what we can do," said Ponder, who went 21 for 35 for 198 yards and, most importantly, no turnovers or sacks.

After a dominant start to their NFC North tour by decisively beating playoff teams Green Bay and Detroit, the 49ers (2-1) were beaten in every way by the team least likely to do so.

Aaron Rodgers of the Packers and Matthew Stafford of the Lions each had a pass picked off in their game, and they were harassed often by a defense that's been one of the NFL's best for the last several seasons. Ponder, in his second year and in the long shadow of Rodgers, Stafford and Chicago's Jay Cutler in this pass-driven division, deftly avoided the rush and made a bunch of clutch throws on the run.

"It's huge for the rest of our season. It's a springboard," Rudolph said.

The Vikings (2-1) began the game boldly with a fourth-and-goal touchdown pass by Ponder to his favorite target, Rudolph. They finished strong by forcing three turnovers and two punts in a wild, drawn-out fourth quarter due in part to more replacement referee blunders. Twice in a six-play span, the 49ers were allowed to withdraw a called timeout to challenge a play instead. The first one was reversed, a fumble by Toby Gerhart given to the 49ers after video review.

But the Vikings played so well that didn't matter. Neither did Gerhart's second fumble a few minutes later.

"You can't think that the game's just going to be given to you, especially when you guys are hyping us up and saying we're that good," 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman said. "Everyone is trying to knock us off. You just have to be prepared for it every single game."

Playing against his former team in the regular season for the first time, Randy Moss had a quiet afternoon with three catches for 27 yards. Frank Gore managed only 63 yards on 12 carries, and Alex Smith's franchise-record interception-free streak ended at 249 passes when Vikings rookie Josh Robinson picked him off with 2:18 left.

Donte Whitner dropped a sure interception and a potential touchdown midway through the fourth quarter after Vikings receiver Michael Jenkins slipped on third down. David Akers had a 43-yard field goal blocked by Letroy Guion late in the first half. And Smith lost a fumble on a late sack by Jared Allen.

"I know the Vikings have always played teams tough, especially when they're an underdog. That's Minnesota football," Moss said.

"We'll keep going back at it."

Smith finished 24 for 35 for 204 yards. He found tight end Vernon Davis on consecutive passes, the second one a 1-yard play-action fake, in the third quarter to pull within 17-13. The Vikings blew 17-0 and 20-0 halftime leads last September in losing consecutive home games to Tampa Bay and Detroit, and this was starting to set up the same way.

But with one third-and-goal pass by Ponder -- Adrian Peterson was wide open next to Rudolph, who reached around Whitner for it -- the lead was back to 11. The Vikings were on their way to burying that painful start to last year's 3-13 record. That drive was fueled by three 49ers penalties, including two unnecessary roughness calls, one by Dashon Goldson against Rudolph.

"Knock on wood, but he's playing some of the cleanest football I've ever seen somebody play at any age in the NFL," said Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, who had two sacks. He added: "He just has that poise about him."

Peterson finished with 86 yards on 25 grueling carries, helping give Ponder some room to throw. The Vikings went 82 yards in 16 plays to start the game, but Peterson was stonewalled for 1 yard on second-and-goal at the 2 and no gain on third down. With inches to go, Ponder rolled left under pressure by Goldson and threw a floater off his back foot that Rudolph ran down in the corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead. Rudolph had four catches on that drive.

Then Ponder used his feet, taking off three times for 34 yards on a second-quarter possession, including the 23-yard sprint that made it 14-3. Accelerating off a cut inside the 10, perhaps reminding 49ers fans inside the dome of their old favorite Steve Young, Ponder dived across the goal line for the final yard.

"There was a big running lane, and I figured that if my ... legs were fast enough, maybe I'd get there," Ponder said. "And I got there, so it was good."

Notes

Moss moved past Tim Brown into fourth place on the NFL's all-time receiving list with 14,946 yards. Vikings FS Mistral Raymond's right ankle rolled awkwardly while trying to tackle Gore at the end of the first quarter. He left on a cart and was on crutches afterward. "From the naked eye, it looks like a very serious injury," Frazier said, "but I don't know all the details." 49ers LB Patrick Willis walked gingerly off the field with an injury to his lower right leg and DT Isaac Sopoaga hurt his lower left leg in the fourth quarter. Harbaugh said both players would be X-rayed and re-evaluated. The 49ers play the Bears at home on Nov. 19. Gore passed Roger Craig for the most career rushing attempts in 49ers history. Percy Harvin led the Vikings with nine catches for 89 yards.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Luck earns first victory, Colts edge Vikes on FG

CBSSports.com wire reports
Sep. 16, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS -- Andrew Luck sure didn't play like a rookie Sunday afternoon.

He looked like a new, younger version of Peyton Manning.

The Colts rookie threw two touchdown passes, took advantage of several key Minnesota penalties and marched Indianapolis 45 yards in 23 seconds to set up Adam Vinatieri for a 53-yard field goal with 8 seconds left, which gave Indianapolis a 23-20 victory over the Vikings in Luck's home debut.

"It's just amazing that the guy's able to go out there and do the things he does as a rookie," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. "He certainly had to put the ball on them, and he did."

Many of those wearing No. 18 jerseys in Sunday's crowd had probably forgotten it took Manning a little longer to win his first game. He started 0-4, including two home losses, before finally beating Ryan Leaf and the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 4, 1998.

Luck's older teammates couldn't be happier to get this early win, either, especially after last season's 0-13 start spurred speculation about going winless for the regular season.

The No. 1 draft pick made sure it didn't happen again. Indy's new quarterback finished 20 of 31 for 224 yards on a solid, not spectacular day.

He played the entire second half without three starters on the offensive line, yet managed to move the Colts into field-goal position twice. Luck actually did his most impressive work eluding pass rushers and throwing on the run.

Time after time, he managed to escape trouble, including twice on Indy's winning drive, to complete passes. And when the Vikings made mistakes, he made them pay.

He got a field goal out of a roughing the kicker penalty and a personal foul call, penalties that kept one second-half drive alive, and when the Vikings blew a coverage just before halftime, Luck hooked up with Reggie Wayne for a 30-yard score.

The Vikings (1-1) were frustrated all afternoon.

"We were rushing him. He moved around a lot. It [stinks], missing sacks," defensive end Jared Allen said. "He did a good job. If the guy is not as mobile, we probably have six sacks.

Sure, Luck made a few miscues -- such as taking the 17-yard sack on third-and-5 with 3:00 to play. Or spiking the ball when the clock was already stopped just before Vinatieri came onto the field for his field goal.

But, like Manning, Luck didn't let the miscues bother him.

"I guess some people were under the impression that the clock was going to run, so I guess we looked a little foolish killing the clock when it was already stopped ," Luck said, laughing as he explained why he spiked the ball with 12 seconds to play. "Oh well."

The Colts (1-1) have won three straight home games dating to last season and improved to 10-0 in home games against the Vikings.

After settling for two field goals in the first 54 minutes, quarterback Christian Ponder rallied the Vikings late and got the big break he needed when defensive end Cory Redding batted his fourth-down pass up into the air. Kyle Rudolph got his hands on the ball, too, tipping it up again and toward teammate Stephen Burton, who hung onto the ball for a 7-yard TD. That made it 20-13 with 5:07 to play.

Ponder was 27 of 35 for 245 yards with two TDs, but was sacked four times. Percy Harvin caught 12 passes for 104 yards.

"We had opportunities. We just didn't capitalize on them," Adrian Peterson said after running 16 times for 60 yards and catching three passes for 20 yards.

The Vikings were just getting started, though.

Following the big third-down sack on Luck and a poor punt, Minnesota took over at the Indy 47 with 2:29 to play. The Vikings finally tied the score when Rudolph hung on for a 6-yard TD reception to tie the score with 31 seconds left.

"You want to score and the defense has to go out there and hold in that situation," coach Leslie Frazier said. "That's our league. In that situation where we were, we needed to get the ball in the end zone and we got to go out and play defense."

But 31 seconds was too much time for Luck.

He started the Colts' last series by rolling to the left and hooking up with Donnie Avery for 20 yards. Then he stepped up in the pocket and threw to the right, a 20-yard strike to Wayne. Then he got the Vikings to jump offside, moving the ball to the Minnesota 35, and after the spike, Vinatieri lived up to his nickname as the best clutch kicker in league history.

"The kid's got poise," Wayne said. "He's got some winning in the blood."

Notes

Avery tied his career high with nine receptions. He also had 111 yards. Colts center Samson Satele left the game in the third quarter with an undisclosed knee injury. Right tackle Winston Justice and left guard Joe Reitz (knee) were inactive. During one stretch Sunday, the Colts ran 31 plays, compared with four for the Vikings -- including a kneel down at the end of the first half. The Colts have won all three home games (two in the preseason) this year, but have lost all three on road. Blair Walsh has made all six of his field-goal attempts in his first two games, including a 51-yarder to open Sunday's scoring.

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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Peterson questionable for opener; Vikes waiting until Sunday to decide

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings are willing to wait until game time to determine whether running back Adrian Peterson plays in the season opener against Jacksonville.

Coach Leslie Frazier said after Friday's practice there is no reason to decide before the active list must be declared 90 minutes ahead of kickoff on Sunday. This was a back track from Thursday, when Frazier said the Vikings would figure out Peterson's status on Friday night or Saturday morning.

"We'll definitely have an answer on Sunday, one way or another," Frazier said, innocently stating the obvious.

Peterson was listed as questionable to play the Jaguars on the injury report, which by definition gives him a 50-50 chance. The 27-year-old two-time All-Pro pick is recovering from reconstructive surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee last Christmas Eve. He's had no setbacks during his rehabilitation, and all signs have pointed to his participation.

Frazier has repeatedly refused to grant Peterson, arguably the franchise's most important player, clearance ahead of time. The coaches and trainers will discuss Peterson's status further this weekend, Frazier said, before reaching their decision. But the Vikings have already acknowledged their plan to limit Peterson's carries, with Toby Gerhart getting the majority of the work, and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said on Thursday he doesn't have much doubt that Peterson will be able to play.

Peterson, of course, has been the one pushing the conversation. As fiercely determined as any player in the NFL, he has steadfastly assured his readiness for the start of the 2012 season since he began working out in the spring.

The Vikings ruled three backups and special teams players out of Sunday's game: linebacker Marvin Mitchell, safety Andrew Sendejo and wide receiver Jarius Wright. They all have sprained ankles; the team hasn't specified on which legs. Backup cornerback Marcus Sherels, the primary punt returner and alternate kickoff returner when Percy Harvin is given a break, has recovered from his sprained ankle, however, and was listed as probable.

Four other players who were fighting injuries at the end of training camp have healed and are probable for Sunday as well: safety Robert Blanton, tight end John Carlson, defensive tackle Letroy Guion and guard Geoff Schwartz. Guion and Carlson are starters. They each suffered sprained right knees earlier in the preseason.

Frazier also said the Vikings will likely use both rookie Josh Robinson and second-year player Brandon Burton as their third cornerback in the nickel defense, when middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley comes out of the game. Late roster additions cornerbackA.J. Jefferson and offensive tackle Mark Asper, both acquired last weekend, will be probably be inactive for Sundy's game, Frazier said.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Vikes win, but lose Peterson, Ponder

Vikes win, but lose Peterson, Ponder CBSSports.com wire reports
Dec. 24, 2011

LANDOVER, Md. -- Out for the game - and possibly much longer - with a knee injury that looked and felt serious, Adrian Peterson was on his way back from the X-ray room in the depths of the stadium when he looked at a television monitor.

"I see Toby break up the sideline," Peterson said. "So, `Go, Toby, go."'

What else could happen to the Minnesota Vikings in one of the worst seasons in franchise history? How about losing Peterson to a direct hit on the left knee and Christian Ponder to a possible concussion on back-to-back plays to start the second half? It just didn't seem fair.

But here's a twist: They won the game. Toby Gerhart and Joe Webb answered the call, leading Saturday's 33-26 victory over the Washington Redskins, breaking a six-game losing streak that helped make up for the fact that their best player was standing on crutches in the locker room.

"I can enjoy my Christmas now," coach Leslie Frazier said.

Gerhart scampered for a 67-yard run -- the play Peterson saw on TV -- to start Minnesota's next series after the Peterson-Ponder injuries and finished with 109 yards on 11 carries. Webb again made a case to be a starting quarterback by throwing for two touchdowns and running for another as the Vikings (3-12) kept alive their hopes to not finish with the worst record in team history. A win next week against Chicago would put them ahead of the dubious 1984 Minnesota team that went 3-13.

Asked if it's time to give the option-running Webb a look at the No. 1 job, Frazier didn't hesitate.

"Some of the things he does, and what it does to the rest of our team, you can't ignore," Frazier said. "So it's something we're going to have a real hard look at as we go forward. He definitely lifts our team."

He might get the start next week, at least, because of Ponder's injury, but Webb surely was an inspiring presence Saturday, completing 4 of 5 passes for 84 yards and rushing five times for 34 yards. His 9-yard touchdown run came on the option, and he put a perfect 17-yard scoring pass into the arms of rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph, a touchdown appropriate for Christmas Eve, to give the Vikings a 23-20 lead late in the third quarter.

"When they bring in a weapon like that," Redskins linebacker Perry Riley said of Webb, "not a secret weapon - we'd seen him on tape and we had a feeling - but it's hard to prepare fully on a short week for two quarterbacks. ... It's hard to change it mid-stream like that."

Webb's 8-yard pass to Percy Harvin broke a 23-all tie early in the fourth quarter, and rookie Mistral Raymond's first career interception set up Ryan Longwell's 23-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 10-point lead with 4:05 to play. Minnesota had gone nine games without a pick before Raymond's big play.

The Redskins pulled within a touchdown on Graham Gano's 47-yard field goal with 1:25 remaining. They got the ball back after a punt, but Rex Grossman's final long fling to the end zone fell incomplete to give Washington (5-10) a sixth straight home loss, its longest such skid since 1994.

Peterson said he knew "it was something bad" the moment he was hit by safety DeJon Gomes at the end of a 3-yard gain on the first offensive play of the second half. The X-rays were negative, but Peterson was scheduled for an MRI late Saturday after the team returned to Minnesota.

"It's such a special person that you want to be right before you prognosticate on what might be," Frazier said.

A torn ACL, the worst case scenario, would likely sideline Peterson for some nine months and make it difficult for him to return for the start of next season.

"Anytime you take a blow to the knee like that, you're concerned about the ACL, MCL," Peterson said. "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can."

On the play after Peterson was hurt, Ponder suffered a head injury when sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher. Ponder remained in the game for one more play - a third-down incomplete pass - before heading to the locker room.

Frazier said Ponder had "concussion-like symptoms." The coach said he's uncertain whether the quarterback will play in next week's season finale against the Bears.

"We'll have to weigh it when we get back," Frazier said, "and I'll follow the doctor's lead."

With the way Webb is playing, Ponder might get the week off anyway.

Notes

Grossman had two more giveaways -- a lost fumble and interception -- to put his total at 24 for the season. He was already tied for the most turnovers in the NFL entering the game. Washington's Evan Royster, getting the start with fellow rookie Roy Helu out with an injury, ran for 132 yards on 19 carries. Minnesota's Jared Allen had one sack to raise his total to 18 1/2. The Vikings were also short-handed along the offensive line, with guard Steve Hutchinson inactive with a concussion and guard Anthony Herrera sidelined for part of the game with a lower back injury. Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.   Adrian Peterson is helped off the field after sustaining a game-ending injury in the third quarter vs. the Redskins. (Getty Images) Adrian Peterson is helped off the field after sustaining a game-ending injury in the third quarter vs. the Redskins. (Getty Images)
Graham Gano, 26 Yd, 1:02. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards in 4:34.Graham Gano, 53 Yd, 10:40. Drive: 6 plays, 4 yards in 2:39.Graham Gano, 25 Yd, 12:41. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards in 5:00.Graham Gano, 47 Yd, 1:25. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards in 2:40.

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Broncos, Tebow again stage late drama, tip Vikes

Broncos, Tebow again stage late drama CBSSports.com wire reports
Dec. 4, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS -- Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos came through again with a strong, determined finish after enduring another slow start.

This time, Tebow was in a groove the entire second half -- not just in the waning minutes -- and his teammates on defense were getting gobbled up. But there they were in the end, emulating Tebow's late-game touch.

Tebow passed for a season-best 202 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns to help the unflappable Broncos win their fifth straight game, 35-32 over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday on Matt Prater's 23-yard field goal as time expired.

"I know that I had a lot of help. Offensive line did a great job, and receivers stepped up and made me look a lot better than I really am," said Tebow, who completed 10 of 15 passes, his best percentage as an NFL starter, and posted a career-high passer rating of 149.3.

Prater kicked two field goals in the final 93 seconds for the Broncos (7-5), who forged a first-place tie in the AFC West with a loss by the Oakland Raiders. Christian Ponder set Minnesota's single-game rookie record with 381 yards passing, including a pair of long touchdowns to Percy Harvin, but his sideline throw with 1:33 remaining was intercepted by Andre Goodman and returned to the 15-yard line.

Lance Ball's first-down run for 11 yards made it first-and-goal at the 4 with 1:12 remaining, but the Vikings decided against letting them score right away and took their chances with a shank or a block instead. But the Broncos drained the clock for Prater's winner and raised their record to 6-1 with Tebow as the starter.

"Hard to argue. That guy wins games," Ponder said.

Harvin had a career-high 156 yards for the Vikings (2-10), who lost their fourth in a row.

"Too many times this year we've had leads and then had letdowns or missed assignments," Harvin said. "It's another game we feel we had control of, and to somehow let it slip away, that's disgusting."

In seven games with Tebow, the Broncos offense has 30 first-half points. They were blanked in this one, on the board only because of Mario Haggan's 16-yard interception return for a first-quarter score. Tebow's third turnover of the season, a sack by Jared Allen that forced a fumble with 39 seconds left before halftime, gave the Vikings three free points.

But they can't be counted out. Whether their unconventional quarterback is trying to complete a down-field pass or if they're flirting again with defeat, the Broncos haven't flinched.

"There were a lot of questions on the outside. Sometimes it gets built up like they were on the inside, but the one thing I will say is the guy wins," coach John Fox said. "He does it with his feet. He does it with his arm. He's young. He's just going to get better."

Harvin, a fellow former Florida star, said he was worried once Tebow got the ball late in the game.

"I was sure enough hoping we were going to get him, but I've been on his teams," Harvin said, adding: "He's a winner. He's a leader. All of the things you hear about, you may think it's too much, but that's what he is."

After serving as the backbone of Denver's resurgence, putting Tebow in position for all of those rallies, the Broncos gave up 489 yards. Toby Gerhart gained 91 yards on 21 carries. But they picked off Ponder twice, recovered his fumble and applied enough pressure to equalize the game.

"It's been fun, a fun ride," Haggan said. "This team is close, believes, has a lot of character, but we're not done."

Demaryius Thomas caught four passes for 144 yards and both touchdowns for the Broncos, who have won four games with Tebow by either four or three points. Thomas was wide open twice, with the coverage by Minnesota's depleted secondary breaking down often, but Tebow had to find him. Pushed out of the pocket with no one open, he ran left and delivered on on-target across-his-body throw to Thomas, who ran the rest of the way and dragged a couple of defenders into the end zone for a 41-yard score that cut the Minnesota lead to 22-21 late in the third.

"We put in a lot of work," Thomas said. "It's paid off. It's about that time."

During a dizzying display of back-and-forth touchdowns, with both Ponder and Tebow putting together their best games as pros. Ryan Longwell's third field goal, with 3:06 left, made it 32-29 Vikings, teeing another one up for Tebow.

He threw a wobbler that still landed on target, when Thomas hauled in a 40-yard completion. Thomas couldn't bring in the third-down pass at the goal line, but Prater tied the game with a 46-yarder before Ponder's second glaring mistake.

Harvin's second score, a 48-yard catch and run, was the first fourth-quarter touchdown given up by the Broncos in five games and made it 29-21 Minnesota. They averaged 15 points allowed over their previous four games.

But there went the Broncos again. Tebow hit Thomas for 42 yards, and Willis McGahee rumbled into the end zone from 24 yards out. Then Tebow took the snap on the 2-point conversion and rolled to his right and over the goal line to tie the game at 29.

Except for that play, he looked more like pocket passer on this afternoon, running only four times.

"It's crazy. Just try to do whatever they ask of me," Tebow said.

Notes Haggan, a ninth-year veteran who started in place of injured LB Von Miller, came up with the first interception of his career. He also led the team with 12 tackles, three for losses. Tebow's NFL career high is 308 yards passing, against Houston on Dec. 26, 2010. Allen tied an NFL record with his fourth career safety, stopping McGahee in the end zone on the Broncos' first play. McGahee had 111 yards on 20 attempts.. All three replay reviews, including a TD pass to Kyle Rudolph, went in favor of the Vikings.. Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.   Matt Prater, 46 Yd, 1:33. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards in 1:33.Matt Prater, 23 Yd, 0:00. Drive: 6 plays, 10 yards in 1:25.

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Goodell says NFL will contribute toward Vikes stadium

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said after meeting Tuesday with Gov. Mark Dayton and supporters of a Minnesota Vikings stadium that the league will contribute financially to its construction, and that he believes efforts to get the facility built are ensuring the team's future in the state.

"I think the commitment here is to get something done and I think that will ensure the success of the Vikings," said Goodell, after he was asked if he could envision a scenario where the team would leave Minnesota.

The NFL commissioner met early in the morning at the governor's residence with Dayton, legislators sponsoring the stadium bill and state Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel to talk about the team's partnership with Ramsey County to build a $1.1 billion stadium in suburban Arden Hills. With less than a week left in the legislative session, stadium talks are hung up on the cost of fixing roads near the site and who should pay for it.

Sorel said after the meeting his agency will have a more exact figure on road costs by Wednesday. Dayton and the chief legislative sponsors, Sen. Julie Rosen of Fairmont and Rep. Morrie Lanning of Moorhead, once again firmly stated that the state's share will not exceed $300 million -- and that any road-improvement costs will have to come out of that total.

"We still have work to do in terms of pinning down what are the transportation needs over and above what's already planned," Lanning said. "That is the most important issue."

Goodell would not reveal how much the league would kick in, saying he would release more details in the next few days. As part of its deal with Ramsey County, the Vikings pledged to pay $407 million, about 39 percent of the total project cost.

"Those are discussions that are going on in part based on the types of revenue that can be created," said Goodell, who turned up shortly after his meeting with Dayton at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis where the league is in mediation with the players union over the NFL lockout.

A provision in the stadium legislation at the Capitol will prevent stadium construction from getting underway until the league's labor dispute is settled.

Goodell toured the Arden Hills site on Monday, a former Army ammunition plant about 10 miles northeast of the team's current home at the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. Goodell called the site "extraordinary" and "very exciting" and reaffirmed that the team's leadership feels strongly about building there.

With questions still hanging about the total cost of the project, and with Dayton and lawmakers still far apart on how to erase the state's $5 billion state budget deficit, the biggest obstacle facing the stadium plan at the Capitol is time. Lawmakers must adjourn their regular session by next Monday at midnight - though the unresolved budget dispute threatens to force a special session that could give lawmakers more time to work on the stadium too.

"Where there's a will there's a way and yes, anything is possible," Dayton said.


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