DAILY CLIPS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019 - Amazon S3

DAILY CLIPS

   THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 7, 2019

LOCAL NEWS: Thursday, February 7, 2019

                                                       Star Tribune

Everson Griffen's contract puts his status with Vikings in question for 2019
By Ben Goessling
http://www.startribune.com/everson-griffens-contract-puts-his-status-with-vikings-in-question-for-2019/505413522/

                                                     VIKING Update

Analyzing top guards on the free-agent market
By Tim Yotter
https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/LongFormArticle/Analyzing-top-guards-on-the-free-agent-market-128771956/

                                                       SKOR North

The future of the Vikings, Part 5: The offensive line
By Matthew Coller
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019/02/the-future-of-the-vikings-part-5-the-offensive-line/

MULTIMEDIA LINKS: Thursday, February 7, 2019

GMFB Touches on Cousins Reaching Super Bowl
NFL Network
http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=f7bd6954-1e01-456b-ab9f-0bc6beab2e35

Pick 6 Mailbag: Reiff's Role In 2019 + Upgrading The O-Line, Possible Free Agent WR Addition,
More
Vikings Entertainment Network
https://www.vikings.com/video/pick-6-mailbag-reiff-s-role-in-2019-upgrading-the-o-line-possible-free-
agent-wr-

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Thursday, February 7, 2019

Lunchbreak: ESPN’s 2019 Predictions Include Vikings Making Playoffs
By Lindsey Young
https://www.vikings.com/news/espn-2019-predictions-minnesota-vikings-make-playoffs

Mock Madness 2.0: Majority of Experts Expect Vikings to Help O-Line in 1st Round
By Eric Smith
https://www.vikings.com/news/mock-madness-2-0-majority-of-experts-expect-vikings-to-help-o-line-in-1st-round

Mike Zimmer Foundation Now Accepting Applications for 2019 MVP Scholarships
By Lindsey Young
https://www.vikings.com/news/mike-zimmer-foundation-now-accepting-applications-for-2019-mvp-scholarships

Lunchbreak: Vikings Slotted 14th in ESPN’s Early 2019 Power Rankings
By Eric Smith
https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-vikings-slotted-14th-in-espn-s-early-2019-power-rankings

Ham Family Balances Football Life, PT School & Parenting
By Lindsey Young
https://www.vikings.com/news/ham-family-balances-football-life-pt-school-parenting

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 2/1/19
Everson Griffen's contract puts his status with Vikings in question
for 2019

By Ben Goessling

The Vikings were hailed for their proactiveness when they signed Everson Griffen to a new deal before the 2017
season, locking up the defensive end through the 2022 season even though he had two years left on his
existing deal. While the contract did extend the marriage between the Vikings and Griffen on paper, its structure
did something else: It guaranteed the Vikings the kind of leverage they could exert over Griffen in the coming
weeks.

Griffen’s old deal had him set to make $7 million in 2017 and $8.5 million in 2018, with none of the money in
those two seasons guaranteed. His renegotiated deal put an additional $2 million in his pocket for the 2017
season and an extra $1.5 million for 2018, with Griffen getting $6.2 million in cash at the time of the deal’s
completion. The deal effectively solidified Griffen’s status for two seasons he was under contract with the
Vikings anyway, fully guaranteeing his 2017 base salary and delivering another $5.5 million roster bonus last
May. Beyond that, though, it essentially gave the Vikings control of Griffen’s future, and the structure of the
contract means a decision on Griffen could be coming in the next month.

Like his 2018 base salary, Griffen’s 2019 base was guaranteed against injury at the time he signed his new
deal, and will become fully guaranteed if he’s still on the roster by March 15 (the third day of the 2019 league
year). His base for the 2019 season, however, is $10.9 million. The Vikings would face just $1.2 million of dead
money charges if they released Griffen, while recouping $10.7 million of cap space.

The contract’s structure is similar to many of the deals the Vikings do, and it’s not unusual in the NFL, where the
cold reality is that a player’s relationship to his team is often only as strong as his recent performance or the
guaranteed money in his contract. Griffen’s battles with mental health issues during the 2018 season could cast
a business decision in a cruel light, but a Vikings team not flush with cap space is nonetheless likely weighing its
options in the final weeks before free agency.

Griffen, who turned 31 in December, posted 5 1/2 sacks for the 2018 season and notched 4 1/2 in the eight
games he played after returning from his five-game absence, while playing around 80 percent of the Vikings’
defensive snaps in that time. Those are solid numbers, to be sure, but when Griffen’s current deal makes him
the ninth highest-paid defensive end in the league, the Vikings might not view his production as being worth his
scheduled price tag for 2019. That could be especially true given the year Danielle Hunter had, and what he did
on the right side while Griffen was out.

Hunter’s 2018 season was a tour de force, one that saw the 24-year-old finish with the most sacks (14.5) by a
Vikings player since Jared Allen had 22 in 2011. Hunter paired that with 72 tackles and 21 tackles for loss,
ranking 24th in the NFL in run stop percentage, according to Pro Football Focus. He had six sacks in five games
at right end, and was actually more productive there than he was on the left side; PFF ranked him the NFL’s
ninth-best pass rusher from the right side, compared to its 26th-best on the left.

The other complicating factor for Griffen is the play of third-year man Stephen Weatherly, who had a pair of
sacks while Griffen was out and turned into a disruptive run defender in his own right, ranking 13th among NFL
defensive ends in run stop percentage, according to PFF. Weatherly had just one sack in a rotational role after
Griffen returned, and isn’t the kind of prolific complement that Hunter and Griffen have been to one another in
recent years. But when the Vikings are projected to have just over $6 million in cap space for 2019 before any
other moves, and Weatherly is set to make only $720,000 in the final year of his rookie deal, some hard choices
must be made.

The Vikings could approach Griffen about restructuring his deal to take a salary reduction in exchange for some
assurance (either contractual or implied, though the latter isn’t worth as much as the former) that he’ll be on the
roster in 2019. There’s been plenty of chatter in league circles about whether the team will release Griffen or try
to trade him before the new league year, and it’s possible he’d opt for a fresh start rather than choosing to return
at a lower salary. If he’s back in Minnesota in 2019, though, it’s hard to see him returning under his current
contract structure.

What Griffen went through in 2018 far exceeds the importance of what happens on a football field, and whatever
happens with his contract in the next month pales in comparison to his continued efforts toward good health.
The realities of the NFL, though, mean the status of the Vikings’ longest-tenured player figures to be in question
through the final weeks of the 2018 league year. When the Vikings’ simplest method of freeing up cap space for
2019 is to open up some hard conversations with veterans — a group that could include Kyle Rudolph, Andrew
Sendejo, Mike Remmers or Riley Reiff — Griffen could be approaching a tricky decision.

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 2/1/19
Analyzing top guards on the free-agent market

By Tim Yotter
After a few solid prospects, the pickings on the free-agent guard market all have some questions about
them, whether that’s related to age, injuries or performance.

The Minnesota Vikings, no doubt, will be investigating the possibilities, but they may find that a lot of other
teams are also having issues finding consistently productive guards. That could put a premium on the
prospects in the draft, but certainly many teams will be looking for at least starting contenders on the free-
agent market in March before the draft arrives in late April.

The Vikings have two guards scheduled to hit free agency – Nick Easton, who missed the entire 2018
season after neck surgery, and Tom Compton, who took his spot at left guard. The team has also been
considering moving left tackle Riley Reiff to guard, according to the Star Tribune, but that decision is likely
to depend on what happens in free agency and the draft.

With that, here are the top guards scheduled for free agency.

RODGER SAFFOLD
Age: 31

Saffold is largely considered the best guard on the free-agent market and he will cost plenty. He averaged
$6.2 million in his first five years and has made his mark at guard for the Los Angeles Rams. Pro Football
Focus gave him a pass-blocking efficiency rating of 97.7, the best among the free agents at his position,
and the ESPN gave him an 87 percent win rate in pass protection, third of any guard. According to PFF,
he gave up just three sacks and five hits. His grades have been in the 70s and 80s the last three years.
The only concern will be his age, but the solid offensive linemen can usually play into their mid-30s, so a
three- or four-year contract wouldn’t be out of the question. His preference is to return to the Rams, but
with the caveat that it is a fair contract.

PFF says: Saffold was a stalwart on one of the best offensive lines in the league this past season. He
earned the third-best run-blocking grade among all guards in 2018 and could fit in any scheme you’ll find
in the NFL. He won’t get a mega-deal as he turns 31 this offseason, but he’s nowhere near the end of his
usefulness.

RAMON FOSTER
Age: 33

His age will make a difference in his value in free agency, but Foster had the ninth-best pass-blocking
efficiency among all guards, according to PFF, who graded him at 98.1 and gave up just one sack and two
quarterback hits in 726 snaps in pass protection for the Steelers. However, his pass-protection grades are
usually well above his run-blocking prowess.

A.J. CANN
Age: 27

ESPN gave the Jaguars guard an 84 percent pass-block win rate, which was ninth overall among all
guards. However, PFF credited him with giving up eight sacks and 42 total pressures. His 95.7 pass-

blocking efficiency was 49th among all guards and he didn’t grade out significantly different in run
blocking.

NICK EASTON
Age: 26

He had a solid season in 2017 starting at left guard, but he spent the entire 2018 season on injured
reserve, which could hurt his first foray into unrestricted free agency. Still, given his age and his
performance when healthy, if he doesn’t re-sign with the Vikings, he will likely find a starting opportunity
elsewhere. In 12 games in 2017, he didn’t surrender a sack and gave up only three QB hits.

MIKE IUPATI
Age: 31

Once considered a top-level guard after being drafted in the first round in 2010 by San Francisco, Iupati is
closing in on being 32 years old and hasn’t been able to stay on the field consistently the last two years.
Last year, he played in about half the snaps before heading to injured reserve with a knee injury.

MIKE PERSON
Age: 30

Like Billy Turner below, Person gained a 96.9 pass-blocking proficiency from PFF. He gave up only one
sack and seven QB hits, allowing a total of 26 pressures in 560 snaps in pass protection. He has more
experience than Turner and has generally graded higher than Turner, especially in the running game.

MATT SLAUSON
Age: 32

Slauson began the 2018 season as a starter at right guard for the vastly improved Colts offensive line, but
after a “significant” back injury, he landed on injured reserve in October. Given his age and the injury, it will
be interesting to see how much he is in demand if he makes it to the open market, despite solid pass- and
run-blocking grades from PFF for most of his career.

BILLY TURNER
Age: 27

Turner tied for 32nd among guards in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency at 96.9 percent, allowing just three
sacks and one QB hit on 490 pass-blocking snaps. The former North Dakota State standout who was
drafted in the third round played with the Broncos, bringing some familiarity with Gary Kubiak’s zone
blocking schemes. Between that, his age and familiarity with the five-state area, he could be a serious
consideration for the Vikings that likely wouldn’t cost too much.

JOHN MILLER
Age: 25

In Buffalo, Miller allowed only one sack and five QB hits, but did give up 24 hurries. He’s still very young,
but has graded significantly better as a pass protector versus run blocking.

J.R. SWEEZY

Age: 29

Sweezy finished just below Person and Turner in pass-blocking efficiency, credited with allowing four
sacks, three hits and 19 hurries last year with Seattle after spending 2017 with Tampa Bay. He has been
pretty durable as a starter since he was a seventh-round pick in 2012, but he has never been a standout.

ANDY LEVITRE
Age: 32

Considering that Levitre was a second-round pick by the Bills when Brett Favre first joined the Vikings in
2009, that should tell you how old he is. He only played 82 snaps with the Falcons last year before
heading to IR with a triceps injury.

JAMES CARPENTER
Age: 29

A 2011 first-round draft pick of the Seahawks in 2011, he has spent the last four years with the New York
Jets, where he had solid seasons his first two years there. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in
2018, but he might not be counted on as a starter wherever he signs.

MAX GARCIA
Age: 27

Garcia joined a litany of injuries on the Broncos offensive line. He was filling in for Ronald Leary when he
suffered a torn ACL in November. He was once a full-time starter for Denver after they drafted him in the
fourth round in 2015, but his performance and his playing time has fallen off since then.

RYAN GROY
Age: 28

He has started only 14 games over the last three years for the Bills. Until he really earns a starting job and
getting extended playing time, whether at center or guard, it’s difficult to figure out how effective he can be,
but he hasn’t always taken advantage of his limited opportunities.

TOM COMPTON
Age: 29
Compton wasn’t great for the Vikings, but the free-agent market is limited and it’s unclear how much a
sprained MCL in October impacted his performance. His 14 starts in 2018 were the most of his career and
account for almost half of his 29 starts over his seven seasons in the NFL.

BEN GARLAND
Age: 30

He has been only a part-time starter for the Falcons the last two years and was inactive for the opening
game of 2018.

PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 2/1/19
The future of the Vikings, Part 5: The offensive line

By Matthew Coller
As the Minnesota Vikings head into a vital offseason, we will look at each position under a microscope.
What worked? What didn’t work? What might change in 2019? What are the best and worst case
scenarios? What options do they have going forward? Our series will lead up to the opening of free
agency on March 13. We move on to part 5, offensive line…

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

LT, Riley Reiff
What worked:

The Vikings’ left tackle had a solid season by the numbers, ranking 22nd of 61 tackles by Pro Football
Focus grades and 18th in the run game (with at least 500 snaps). Per Football Outsiders, the Vikings were
ninth in yards per carry (4.4) behind the left tackle. Overall Reiff tied for 22nd in sacks allowed (3). He put
together eight games with above average grades, including two matchups with Green Bay in which he
allowed only a total of four pressures, zero QB hits and zero sacks.

What didn’t work:

Reiff’s two bad games were disastrous. He allowed 12 pressures in a nightmare matchup with Jerry
Hughes and the Buffalo Bills and then gave up 11 pressures to Khalil Mack and the Chicago Bears over
the two matchups. He was dominated in the Vikings’ season-ending Week 17 loss. As a pass blocker,
Reiff was graded below average at 37th and gave up the eighth most pressures. He missed three games
with injury and played through other injuries throughout the year, playing the fewest snaps of his career
since his rookie year.

Best case scenario in 2019:

There are a few scenarios that could work out well for the Vikings. One could be that he stays healthy for
an entire season and gives them a similar performance to the past, only his play is helped by Gary
Kubiak/Kevin Stefanski’s scheme.

Another potential option, according to Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune, is moving Reiff to left guard.
As a strong run blocker, the best case would be Reiff becoming an impact player on the inside with the
ability to use his size and strength against the NFC North’s beast interior defensive linemen Akiem Hicks,
Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark and Snacks Harrison. In this scenario, the Vikings would be drafting their
franchise left tackle.

Worst case scenario in 2019:

Reiff battles injuries again, struggles to protect Kirk Cousins’ blind side and has two or three games in
which he gets dominated by superior players and ends up showing signs of age (Reiff is 30) throughout
the year.

LG, Tom Compton
What worked:

Compton was signed to be a backup option behind Nick Easton. Instead he was thrust into the starting job
when Easton suffered a season-ending injury in camp. He graded 33rd of 55 guards by PFF and 15th in
the run game. Considering he only cost $800,000, that’s about the best bang-for-buck. He started a
career-high 14 games.

What didn’t work:

The journeyman lineman was not up to the task of facing skilled interior pass rushers. He rated 45th in
pass protected and gave up the fifth most sacks by a guard in the NFL and 12th most pressures.

Best case scenario in 2019:

Compton is a free agent. While he didn’t have a great year, he is a solid veteran backup option.

Worst case scenario in 2019:

If he was brought back as a versatile guard and ended up starting double-digit games again.

C, Pat Elflein
What worked:

Almost nothing. After a solid rookie season, Elflein only had one season that was graded above average
by PFF. That came against Arizona.

What didn’t work:

Elflein suffered a serious injury in the 2017 NFC Championship game that, combined with a shoulder
injury, kept him out until Week 3. Missing the entire offseason and preseason put the former Ohio State
center so far behind the ball that he never caught up. Without the required play strength from a full
offseason, he routinely was overpowered by interior D-linemen. PFF ranked Elflein as the worst center in
the NFL in 2018 and his six pressures allowed in Week 17 were a ill-timed career high. It didn’t appear he
fully got on the same page with Cousins and wasn’t a great fit with John DeFilippo’s offense.

Best case scenario in 2019:

Elflein has a full offseason, puts on muscle and strength that will help him in situations where opponents
can pin their ears back or in power run plays. With his ability in space being Elflein’s strongest asset, the
Kubiak/Stefanski offense could be built to his strengths with zone runs and screen passes.

Worst case scenario in 2019:

You couldn’t come up with much worse of a scenario than Elflein faced in 2018. As long as he’s healthy
throughout the offseason, we should see improvement.

RG, Mike Remmers
What worked:

Remmers finished the year ranked 36th of 55 by PFF, but he did show some flashes of talent as an
interior lineman. He did not allow a single pressure against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 and in
Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins and was an average or above average run blocker in seven games.

What didn’t work:

The puzzling move to bring Remmers inside to guard did not pay off in pass blocking. He gave up seven
sacks and 42 pressures, which is seven more sacks and 15 more pressures than he allowed as a tackle in
2017. The sack total ranked fifth most allowed and his pressure total was third worst among guards.

Best case scenario in 2019:

Clearly the Vikings need improvement at guard, so he can’t continue starting without a massive leap
forward, but if Remmers stayed on the team as a swing tackle who could step into either side in case of
emergency, that would be the ideal situation for the Vikings. He would instantly be one of the best backup
linemen in the NFL.

Worst case scenario in 2019:

The Vikings are simply forced to cut Remmers because of his price tag ($6.4 million) and his signing goes
down in the “L” column.

RT, Brian O’Neill
What worked:

As a converted tight end, the 2018 second-round pick wasn’t expected to start right away, but he was
forced into action because of injuries and then took over the full-time job from Rashod Hill. While there
were ups and downs, O’Neill did not seem overwhelmed by NFL edge rushers and appeared to gain
confidence as the season went along. He was one of four tackles with more than 500 snaps to not allow a
sack.

What didn’t work:

While he didn’t give up a sack, O’Neill was routinely overpowered due to his lack of size/strength and
inexperience setting an anchor against NFL talents. Of 61 tackles with more than 500 snaps, O’Neill was
graded by PFF as the 53rd rated tackle in pass blocking and 40th in run blocking.

Best case scenario in 2019:

O’Neill continues to put on weight and improve technique and then takes a significant step toward
becoming a franchise tackle. His tremendous athleticism becomes an asset for the Vikings in the screen
and run games and gives the impression O’Neill could reach his ceiling as an above average tackle.

Worst case scenario in 2019:

He plateaus with his progress and continues to struggle with speed-to-power rushers, which would make
the team question whether he can be a long-term option.

T, Rashod Hill
After performing admirably in 2017 as a fill-in, Hill proved that he isn’t ready for a full-time starting gig. He
allowed five sacks and 28 pressures in just 342 pass blocking snaps before losing his job to O’Neill. It
doesn’t appear the former Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad member will take another step, but he
could continue to be a reliable reserve.

C, Brett Jones
Acquired just before the season to start in the place of the injured Elflein, Jones did his best to hold down
the fort for a few weeks. He could not provide the type of quickness required in the run game to be a full-
time starter.

G, Danny Isidora

In four games, Isidora got thoroughly dominated by opponents in the passing game, giving up 11
pressures in just 145 pass blocking snaps. It is yet to be seen whether the Vikings stick with him as a
developmental player.

Options
Where to begin…

— If the Vikings move Riley Reiff to left guard, it becomes a foregone conclusion that they will draft a left
tackle in the first round. This year isn’t a bad draft to be in the market for a tackle. Alabama’s Jonah
Williams, Greg Little of Ole Miss, Cody Ford from Oklahoma and Jawaan Taylor of Florida are all listed by
CBS Sports as first-round prospects at tackle while Kansas State’s Dalton Risner is a rising prospect who
shined at the Senior Bowl. He might play tackle or guard.

— If Reiff remains at left tackle, the Vikings could still draft a future tackle in the first and look for guards
later in the draft. Players like Chris Lindstrom from Boston College, Michael Jordan of Ohio State and
Penn State’s Connor McGovern are examples of players receiving second-round grades who could step
into a starting role. We will have a much clearer picture of the draft going forward. Considering the Colts
took offensive linemen in the first and second round last year, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Vikings
considered doing the same.

— Free agency presents all types of options. The Vikings could think about Bucs tackle Donovan Smith if
Reiff slides inside. New England’s starting left tackle Trent Brown is also a free agent. Washington’s Ty
Nsekhe is an under-the-radar swing tackle who may have the capability to start full time.

— The guard market isn’t deep. Indy’s Mark Glowinski already signed a three-year deal to stay with the
Colts and Los Angeles’s Roger Safford, the top free agent, has expressed interest in staying with the
Rams. That leaves Pittsburgh’s 33-year-old Ramon Foster and Tennessee’s Quinton Spain as the top
names on the market. Mike Pearson of San Francisco and Jacksonville’s AJ Cann could also get
consideration.

— Another potential fix would be to move Elflein to guard, where he shined as a junior at Ohio State.
Denver’s free agent center Matt Paradis is one of the top players at the position. It might be a more savvy
play to sign a top center and slide Elflein over than going all-in on a veteran, less talented guard.

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 2/1/19
Lunchbreak: ESPN’s 2019 Predictions Include Vikings Making
Playoffs

By Lindsey Young
Looking ahead at the 2019 season, which teams will return to the NFL playoffs, which will miss the postseason
and which will make an appearance after missing the cut in 2018?

Two seasons ago, the Vikings advanced all the way to the 2017 NFC Championship but fell short of the 2018
playoffs when they suffered a home loss to the Bears the regular-season finale.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently made 10 “bold NFL predictions” for the 2019 campaign, including that “new
playoff teams” will be the Vikings, Titans and 49ers. He wrote:

Minnesota's offense clicks better in Kirk Cousins’ second season there. The AFC South starts to look like the
league's new power division, with Tennessee pushing the Colts and Texans. And assuming Jimmy Garoppolo
gets through the season healthy, another busy and productive offseason should put San Francisco in position to
make some noise.

The 2018 playoff teams whose places these three take are the Bears, Colts and Cowboys, respectively. The
Eagles reassert themselves atop a once-again-weak NFC East.

Other predictions by Graziano included that four quarterbacks will be first-round draft picks in April, the Browns
will win the AFC North, Steelers WR Antonio Brown will sign with the 49ers and lead the league in catches, and
Super Bowl LIV will be between the Saints and the Texans.

7 Vikings in Fabiano’s top 200 fantasy players for 2019

While several media members and analysts are releasing their early power rankings for the 2019 season,
NFL.com’s Michael Fabiano recently ranked his top 200 fantasy players for the upcoming season.

Three Vikings made Fabiano’s list in the top 30. He placed wide receiver Adam Thielen at No. 19 overall and as
the eighth receiver ranked. Running back Dalvin Cook, who is entering his third NFL season, was tabbed at No.
22, and receiver Stefon Diggs made the list at No. 28.

Four other Vikings also were in Fabiano’s top 200: QB Kirk Cousins (140), TE Kyle Rudolph (165), RB Latavius
Murray (172) and the Vikings defense (185). It is worth noting that Minnesota’s defense was the fourth defense
ranked on Fabiano’s list behind Chicago (181), Baltimore (183) and the Rams (184).

The front end of Fabiano’s list of fantasy players was running back-heavy. Here are the top 10, starting from the
top: Giants RB Saquon Barkley, Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott, Rams RB Todd Gurley, Panthers RB Christian
McCaffrey, Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Chargers RB Melvin Gordon, Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell, Texans WR
DeAndre Hopkins, Steelers WR Antonio Brown and Packers WR Davante Adams.

Kendricks provides cheer for patients at children’s hospital

Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks is enjoying some respite from the Minnesota winter and recently still found
time to give back to the community, this time in his home state of California.

Starlight, an organization that works to bring comfort to hospitalized children in the U.S., tweeted Tuesday that
Kendricks, a UCLA alum, made a special visit to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, where he
spent time talking with and doing activities with the young patients.

Starlight
✔
@StarlightUS
 A very special visit from @Vikings player @EricKendricks54 to @UCLAMCH. It was a day filled with arts and
crafts, video games and lots of smiles! Thanks Eric and @Ath4Hope for having a huge heart for hospitalized
kids.

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 2/1/19
Mock Madness 2.0: Majority of Experts Expect Vikings to Help O-
Line in 1st Round

By Eric Smith
EAGAN, Minn. — Welcome to round two of Mock Madness.

The Vikings are a little less than three months away from the 2019 NFL Draft, meaning the 2019 NFL Scouting
Combine and free agency are on the near horizon.

But it’s always worth keeping an eye on the draft and which players are being projected to land in Minnesota.

This is our second installment of Mock Madness, a look at who an array of experts forecast the Vikings to take
with their first-round pick in 2019.

It is a culmination of 12 recent predictions, more than half of whom have the Vikings helping out their offensive
line early. But don’t sleep on upgrades on the other side of the ball, as a handful of experts have Minnesota
making picks that would bolster Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer’s defense.

Minnesota has the 18th overall pick after going 8-7-1 and missing out on the playoffs in 2018.

Our first Mock Madness can be found here.

Here’s a look at our second Mock Madness of 2019:

Dane Brugler of The Athletic (two rounds)

Feb. 5, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

Many believe this pick is offensive line or bust, but the Vikings will let the board fall to them. With Trae Waynes
entering the final year of his contract, Williams would give the Vikings immediate cornerback depth and a long-
term plan at the position.

The predicted second-round pick (No. 50): Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

With Sheldon Richardson not expected back, the Vikings will be in the market for a young talent to groom at the
under-tackle position.

Click here for Brugler’s full mock draft.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks

Jan. 25, 2019

The predicted pick: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

After watching Kirk Cousins take a beating in 2018, the Vikings will make upgrading the offensive line a top
priority. Dillard is arguably the most polished pass protector in the draft, with superb footwork and technique
defining his game.

Click here for Brooks’ full mock draft.

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter (three rounds)

Feb. 5, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Oliver's lack of size and length will hurt his stock, but this pick will ultimately prove to be a steal.

The predicted second-round pick (No. 50): David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin

Edwards has a chance to go higher than this pick, but Minnesota would love to add his strength to its line.

The predicted third-round pick (No. 81): Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida

With George Iloka due to hit free agency, Gardner-Johnson's a good combo safety worthy of a Day 2 (Rounds
2-3) selection.

Click here for Reuter’s full mock draft.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein

Jan. 29, 2019

The predicted pick: Cody Ford, G, Oklahoma

Ford has upside as a tackle, but his technique is still a work in progress. As a guard, he could step right into the
starting lineup and upgrade the pass protection.

Click here for Zierlein’s full mock draft.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller (seven rounds; three listed here)

Feb. 4, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

An offensive lineman might be the biggest need for the Minnesota Vikings, but with Devin Bush on the board
and Anthony Barr set to become a free agent, it makes sense to load up on a rangy, athletic linebacker when
available.

Bush has developed into a force at linebacker since being a top high school recruit three seasons ago. He might
not have great height at a listed 5'11", but his 240-pound frame is stout. Paired with his excellent athleticism and
instincts, Bush has all the tools to be an impressive rookie starter as a three-down impact player.

The NFL is trending toward linebackers who can rush, cover and blitz; Bush does all of those well.

The predicted second-round pick (No. 50): Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame

The predicted third-round pick (No. 81): Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma

Click here for Miller’s full mock draft.

Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley

Feb. 4, 2019

The predicted pick: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

Click here for Buckley’s full mock draft.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead

Feb. 1, 2019

The predicted pick: Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State

Pro Football Focus rated the Vikings offensive line 29th in the NFL. Offensive line has to be the top priority in the
draft.

Click here for McIntyre’s full mock draft.

CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli

Feb. 5, 2019

The predicted pick: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

Taylor is a classic result of development and good coaching. He didn't arrive at Florida as a highly-touted
prospect, but he was a three-year starter for the Gators and one who improved nearly every season,
culminating in a terrific junior season. The Vikings need to improve their offensive line, and Taylor is somebody
who could start at right tackle in Week 1.

Click here for Fornelli’s full mock draft.

CBS Sports’ R.J. White

Jan. 30, 2019

The predicted pick: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

Taylor could rocket up boards if he tests well over the next few months, but at bare minimum I expect him to go
in the middle of the first round with the crushing need for offensive line around the league. He could develop at
tackle or move inside to guard but, surprise, the Vikings need upgrades in both spots. I'd give him a shot at right
tackle to start and see how his athleticism translates.

Click here for White’s full mock draft.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso

Feb. 4, 2019

The predicted pick: Cody Ford, OT/OG, Oklahoma

Another team in need of offensive line reinforcement. I'm not a huge position-change guy – especially for
someone you pick in Round 1 – but I love the idea of Ford as a mauling, mobile offensive guard. And he does
have experience on the inside. He played right tackle well for Oklahoma in 2018. Play him anywhere, Vikings.

Click here for Trapasso’s full mock draft.

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson

Jan. 29, 2019

The predicted pick: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State

Risner had a fantastic week at the Senior Bowl and while he's destined to kick inside in the NFL – perhaps even
to center – he showed in Saturday's game that he's a very good tackle too. Either way, the Vikings have to do a
better job of protecting Kirk Cousins and Risner checks all the boxes.

Click here for Wilson’s full mock draft

Luke Easterling of DraftWire (four rounds; three listed here)

Feb. 5, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State

This team has some dangerous offensive weapons and a capable quarterback, but the protection has to
improve across the board. Risner’s experience and polish should make him an instant-impact player at the next
level, and his versatility would make him an upgrade at multiple spots.

The predicted second-round pick (No. 50): Dre’Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State

The predicted third-round pick (No. 81): Kendall Joseph, LB, Clemson

Click here for Easterling’s full mock draft

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 2/1/19
Mike Zimmer Foundation Now Accepting Applications for 2019 MVP
Scholarships

By Lindsey Young
EAGAN, Minn. – Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer will once again be supporting student-athletes in Minnesota.

The Mike Zimmer Foundation announced recently that high school seniors can now submit applications for
Coach Zimmer’s MVP Scholarship. The Foundation will award two $10,000 (one-time, non-renewable)
educational scholarships in the spring of 2019.

According to the Mike Zimmer Foundation website, the scholarships will be awarded to “two outstanding
athletes” toward a four-year anniversary of their choice.

The following criteria must be met by student applicants:

Must be a senior graduating from a Minnesota high school in 2019.

Must have participated in a varsity sport in high school.

Must have good academic standing with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Must plan to attend an accredited college, university or community college.

Must have participated in an extracurricular activity or volunteered in the community.

Applicants are asked to complete a submission form with an accompanying essay (500-word maximum) that
answers one of three provided questions.

The 2019 application deadline is April 15, 2019.

The Mike Zimmer Foundation was founded in memory of Coach Zimmer’s wife, Vikki, who passed away
unexpectedly in 2009. The Foundation’s mission is to benefit the Twin Cities community and “keep Vikki’s big
heart and giving spirit alive.”

Click here for more information or to apply for the Coach Zimmer MVP Scholarship.

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 2/1/19
Lunchbreak: Vikings Slotted 14th in ESPN’s Early 2019 Power
Rankings

By Eric Smith
With Super Bowl LIII in the rearview mirror, we’re onto the 2019 season, still seven months from the next
meaningful football games.

The Vikings will spend the offseason focused on free agency and the draft, but where does Minnesota stack up
against the rest of the league?

ESPN recently released its way-too-early power rankings for the 2019 season, and slotted the Vikings in the
middle of the pack in the 14th spot.

ESPN Vikings beat writer Courtney Cronin gave a reason for optimism for Minnesota, which missed the
postseason in 2018 after making it to the NFC title game the year before.

Cronin wrote:

If history is any indicator of a trend, 2019 should be the bounce-back year the Vikings need. Mike Zimmer's
teams haven't been able to string together consecutive playoff seasons since he took over in 2014, but the
Vikings made the postseason in 2015 after missing it the year before and again in 2017 after a disastrous end to
the 2016 season. Living by an "every other year" standard isn't what any franchise wants, but the Vikings have
everything they need to regain that "nasty" edge and turn the page after a disappointing season.

The Vikings went 7-9 in 2014, Zimmer’s first season in Minnesota, but followed that up with an 11-5 record and
an NFC North title. The Vikings then went 8-8 in 2016 before a wildly successful 2017 campaign.

Minnesota endured many ups and downs in 2018 as the Vikings finished 8-7-1 and missed out on a Wild Card
spot by a half-game. The Vikings had a chance to make the playoffs with a win at home in Week 17 but fell to
the Bears, who won the division.

The Vikings are the second-highest ranked team in the NFC North as Chicago is sixth. ESPN tabbed Minnesota
as the seventh-best team in the NFC behind the Rams, Saints, Bears, Seahawks, Eagles and Cowboys.

Looking at Vikings success as a franchise in the Super Bowl-era

The Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl on Sunday, moving into a tie with the Steelers for the most titles by a
franchise in NFL history.

The Vikings, of course, have yet to claim the Lombardi Trophy, but that doesn’t mean Minnesota hasn’t been a
successful franchise in recent decades.

Bob Sturm of The Athletic recently released his franchise rankings of the Super Bowl-era, which uses a
numerical formula to rate a team’s success in the 53 years since the Super Bowl launched.

Sturm’s rankings, which can be found here, award a team 11 points for winning the Super Bowl and five points
for losing one. A loss in a conference title game is three points, while a playoff appearance is a single point.

Using Sturm’s formula, the Vikings are ranked 13th among all franchises with 57 total points.

Sturm wrote:

The Vikings remain an amazing study. Only two franchises (Dallas and Pittsburgh) have been to the playoffs
more than the Vikings, but every single team above them in these standings (save for the Rams) has won at
least two Super Bowls. You could argue the Vikings are among the most accomplished and consistent
franchises in NFL history, but never winning it all keeps them from getting their due here. 2017 looked promising
but then ended in a somewhat typical way for the tortured franchise, and in 2018 they were back out of the post-
season altogether.

All of the dozen teams ahead of the Vikings have a Super Bowl title, while Minnesota has come up short in four
tries (Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI).

The Vikings have an all-time record of 478-397-11 in franchise history, and Minnesota’s overall win percentage
of .546 ranks sixth among all teams behind Dallas, Chicago, Green Bay, New England and Miami.

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 2/1/19
Vikings Will Have 18th Overall Pick in 2019 NFL Draft

By Eric Smith
MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings hold the 18th pick first round of the 2019 NFL Draft after losing to the Bears on
Sunday in the regular-season finale.

Minnesota, which did not qualify for the playoffs, finished the 2018 season with an 8-7-1 record.

The Vikings are scheduled to have one selection in the second, third, fourth and sixth rounds.

Minnesota could also receive compensatory picks leading up to the draft.

Below are the Vikings draft picks:

First-round pick (No. 18)

Second-round pick (No. 50)

Third-round pick (No. 81)

Fourth-round pick (No. 114)

Sixth-round pick (No. 178)

The Vikings fifth-round pick was traded to the Denver Broncos in a trade for quarterback Trevor Siemian and the
seventh-round pick was traded to the New York Giants this season in a trade for offensive lineman Brett Jones.

The first round of the draft is set for April 25 in Nashville.

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 2/1/19
Ham Family Balances Football Life, PT School & Parenting

By Lindsey Young
A frigid January wind batters the pale blue siding, but laughter inside the Ham household drowns out the cold of
a Tuesday night.

Stephanie jokes with C.J. as the Vikings fullback dishes himself a serving of pulled pork she’s prepared for
dinner, re-telling for a guest the story of a cooking mishap two years prior that involved fried shrimp and a
sprinkler system.

Skylar, 2-and-a-half, grins and shows off a slice of cheese pizza before pushing a napkin toward each adult, an
ironic reminder from a toddler to keep messes to a minimum.

Nearby, 6-week-old Stella sleeps peacefully – for the time being – in a baby swing.

“I have to eat quickly,” Stephanie thinks aloud when Stella stirs and lets out an unconscious chirp.

The rest of the evening will buzz with activity: after-dinner clean-up, feeding Stella and watching a movie (which
turns into mostly playtime) with Skylar. Stephanie will need to study before the night wraps up, prepping for an
upcoming exam, while C.J. gives Skylar a bath.

Her pursuit of a doctorate in physical therapy has required sacrificing and a lot of juggling, but Stephanie
wouldn’t have her crazy life any other way.

***

Stephanie was just 11 years old when she made the decision that likely determined her career path years later.

She started dance class at age 5 but in fifth grade was asked by her parents to decide between continuing in
dance or playing soccer. For the young girl drawn to athletics, the choice was an easy one to make.

“I went with soccer, and that was my love for the rest of my life,” Stephanie said.

Soccer took Stephanie from Ankeny High School in central Iowa to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota, where she scored 16 career goals, was a two-time All-NSIC first-team selection and first met C.J., who
played running back for – perhaps prophetically – the Augie Vikings.

Stephanie reflected recently on her decision to play soccer collegiately and said she “wouldn’t be who she is”
without her experience as a student athlete.

Self-identifying as shy, she explained that being part of a team at Augustana, as well as spending significant
time off the field in volunteering and fundraising efforts with teammates, helped develop time-management skills
as well as coax her out of her shell.

Her athletic career wasn’t without its challenges, however. Stephanie has torn her right ACL three times, her left
ACL once and also suffered a meniscus tear, all of which have required surgery and rehab.

In the wake of each injury, Stephanie became well-acquainted with physical therapists and the important role
they played in her recoveries. But it wasn’t until partway through her time at Augustana that she set her sights
on a career in physical therapy herself.

“I actually went into Augie wanting to do pharmacy,” Stephanie said. “Then I took organic chemistry, and it was
like, ‘This isn’t going to work. This isn’t what I’m interested in.’

“I didn’t know what else I was going to do,” Stephanie continued. “But I took a bunch of Exercise-Phys classes
and also health and nutrition, and I kind of just fell in love [with the program].”

Stephanie graduated from Augustana in December of 2015, and she and C.J. were married the following May.

The spring and summer of 2016 brought plenty of good news for the Hams but simultaneously threw an early
curveball into Stephanie’s career path. Shortly after being accepted to physical therapy school at Des Moines
University, she found out she was pregnant with the couple’s first child. And it wasn’t long after that when C.J.
was given an opportunity by his home-state Vikings.

Faced with a big decision, Stephanie took a leap of faith and decided to go forego school that year in order to
remain in Minnesota with C.J. as he pursued his dream of playing in the NFL.

“Stephanie’s done a great job of supporting me in my career,” C.J. said. “Obviously being in the NFL, it’s a tough
job – more so on her – because you never know where you’re going to be, you never know your job security, all
those things.

“For her to sit back and seek out a different opportunity [to continue pursuing] her goal, it was awesome,” C.J.
added.

Opting to wait a year paid off.

Stephanie found the perfect fit through South College in Knoxville, Tennessee, which was the first school to offer
a hybrid, two-year physical therapy program. The unique format allows Stephanie to work through her classes –
and exams – at home and travel every three months to Knoxville for extensive lab work.

“There are other online programs, and there are accelerated programs, but they’re the first to combine the two,”
explained Stephanie.

“My favorite part of the program is being able to stay home with my kids … and being there for C.J., going to his
games on the weekends. We don’t have to be separated,” she added.

ham-feature-story-3-020519
Managing school and family life isn’t always easy.

Soon after the Hams moved to a home in the Southeast Metro and during Vikings Training Camp this past
summer, Stephanie started her first clinical rotation and drove nearly an hour each morning, often making it back
just in time to bring Skylar to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center and connect with C.J. after the team’s
afternoon practice.

She is quick to give credit to both sets of parents, however, and is beyond grateful for a supportive husband.

“The grandmas are a huge help,” Stephanie said. “When I have to go to Tennessee … C.J. can’t just up and
leave, so when I’m gone for a couple weeks, we typically have each grandma come for a week.

“And the biggest thing with C.J. is that he’s so hands-on,” Stephanie continued. “He’ll come home after a 10-
hour day and put the kids to bed so I can study. That has been a huge help, helping with the little things. He’s
physically and mentally tired from a long day, but I’m mentally tired, as well, and he’s super supportive.”

During the 2018 season, C.J. was one of just 20 fullbacks listed on teams’ active rosters. Making a career in the
NFL, especially at a less-prevalent position, isn’t easy. And yet, he’s the one who is fascinated daily by his wife
and her ability to keep everything moving smoothly.

“It’s a lot on her plate. And on top of all that, she pretty much manages our entire life, too,” C.J. said. “To see her
do all of that and do such a great job in school – it’s not like she just takes the tests and is in the classes – she’s
excelling, she’s getting A’s; she’s in the top part of her class. She’s doing such a great job, and I don’t know how
she does it. It’s very impressive.”

Stephanie Ham with some of her physical therapy classmates at South College in Knoxville, Tennessee
It may not always be easy, but Stephanie has no regrets about the goals that she’s set or her journey to reach
them.

Even when C.J. made the Vikings practice squad in 2016 and then was part of the active roster the next two
seasons, Stephanie never questioned whether or not she would give up her pursuit of being a physical therapist.

“At the end of the day, C.J. is good at what he does … but football isn’t going to be forever, and it’s not
guaranteed,” Stephanie said. “We continue like we normally would, as if it’s any other job.”

Added C.J.: “If I play 10 more years or if I’m done playing, we as a family always think long-term picture.”

Stephanie hopes that Skylar and Stella will learn about passion and the importance of work ethic as they grow
up with a working mother, though she is quick to also praise stay-at-home parents, as well.

“I’ve gotten to experience both, and [staying at home] is just as hard, if not harder,” Stephanie said with a smile.

ham-feature-story-4-020519
While balancing play time and study time, family days with test days, she hopes to show her girls that it’s
important to go after one’s dreams.

“She’s very passionate about everything she does, [including] being a physical therapist,” C.J. said. “For the girls
to see her work as hard as she does, and especially when they get older, they’ll be able to appreciate it and
learn how to be independent themselves.”

While she always thought she would work in sports, Stephanie has found that a number of different areas
appeal to her. A recent rotation involved shadowing Rachel Hunkele, the wife of Vikings assistant athletic trainer
Tom Hunkele, for in-patient therapy and opened her eyes to a whole new perspective on physical therapy.

“I loved it,” Stephanie said. “You’re helping people who have been in the hospital for a while and are getting to
walk again. It’s a completely different side of it, but it’s equally rewarding.”

She is scheduled to graduate in June with a DPT degree but won’t be fully finished until September. The
National Physical Therapy Exam will follow in October. Upon passing the exam, Stephanie will be a licensed
physical therapist and set her sights on a residency, where she can work under someone for further training
before settling on a specialty.

“That’s probably a five-year plan,” Stephanie said, laughing. “We’ll see if that’s exactly how it goes.”