The Metrodome rose again this morning, seven months and a day after it collapsed in a blizzard. Found at Minnesota Public Radio via @mariaenergia.

Highlights from the Vikings first pre-season game of the 2010 season. I’m liking what I saw from Toby Gerhart and Garrett Mills. Now if only Mills can stay healthy. Found at YouTube from MrLefty91.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen visits the Vikings camp and talks with Brad Childress and an antsy Jared Allen, who told him:

“I do hope Brett comes back, but in fairness to the team and in fairness to Tarvaris — hey, we’re done with camp now — let’s move things forward. Tarvaris has an opportunity to take this team over … I think you have to have confidence in the quarterback. I think the quarterback has to be the leader of the team, especially the offense and, again, I think stability at the position is key as hell…All I’m saying — and I have a pretty good relationship with Brett — I think this is the last year we want do the flip-flop thing.” Found at ESPN.

A remarkably well-done compilation by a fan of Brett Favre’s 2009 highlights as quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. The song is Better Now by Collective Soul. (Visit Audiolicious.tv for daily music videos.) Found at YouTube from nadasfan.

Anyone who knows me knows I’ve been in favor of and advocated for sports stadia; both for the Minnesota Twins (and, gawd…look at that beautiful Target Field!!) and for the Minnesota Vikings. It’s also no secret that my rooting interest in getting a new stadium for our pro sports teams is my very own love of sports.

I’d be happy to argue all day with you the merits of pro sports for our state and our community but in the end it comes down to this: Building a stadium now will be less expensive. It is not a matter of if we will build a new football stadium, it’s a matter of when. We’ve seen this movie before in Cleveland; if we let the Vikings leave, we’ll see its sequel here in Minnesota. This state will inevitably build a new stadium to attract a pro football franchise back to Minnesota and the only difference will be a few years of an NFLless state and a significantly higher cost for the stadium.

We should pass this bill this year. The Strib compiled footage from the press conference:

via vikings.com

Holding the 30th pick overall, the Minnesota Vikings traded out of the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. The Vikings traded their 1st round pick (30th) and 4th round pick (128th) for Lions’ 2nd round pick (34th), 4th round pick (100) & 7th round pick (214th).

The following links are to individual profile pages with, for most, video highlights of the player in question.

1. Chris Cook, CB, Viriginia: Round 2, Pick 2 (34) (From Lions)
2. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford: Round 2, Pick 19 (51) (From Texans)
3. Everson Griffen, DE, USC: Round 4, Pick 2 (100) (From Lions)
4. Chris Degeare, OT, Wake Forest: Round 5, Pick 30 (161)
5. Nathan Triplett, LB, Minnesota: Round 5, Pick 36 (167) (Compensatory selection)
6. Joe Webb, QB/WR, UAB, Round 6, Pick 30 (199)
7. Mickey Shuler, TE, Penn State, Round 7, Pick 7 (214) (From Browns through Lions)
8. Ryan D’Imperio, LB, Rutgers, Round 7, Pick 30 (237)

With the 30th pick of the 7th round (237th overall), the Minnesota Vikings chose Rutgers linebacker Ryan D’Imperio. D’Imperio stands 6’2″ and weighs 230 lbs. Profiles: NFL | ESPN | NFL Draft Scout | Draft Countdown.

With the seventh pick of the seventh round (214th overall), the Minnesota Vikings chose former Penn State and current Minnesota Viking tight end, Mickey Shuler. Shuler stands 6’4″ and weighs 251 lbs. Profiles: NFL | ESPN | NFL Draft Scout | Penn State.

No video for Mikey Shuler.

With the 30th pick in the sixth round (199th overall), the Minnesota Vikings chose UAB QB/WR Joe Webb. Webb stands 6’3″ and weighs 213 lbs. Webb played both quarterback and wide receiver in college so he is expected to be a part of the Vikings wildcat packages. Profiles: NFL | ESPN | NFL Draft Scout | UAB. Video:

Follow Joe Webb News at Minnesota Vikings Chat.

With the 36th pick of the fifth round, the Minnesota Vikings chose Minnesota linebacker Nate Triplett. Triplett stand 6’3″ and weighs in at 250 lbs. Profiles: NFL | Gophers.
Video of combine workouts.