Minnesota Vikings

Viking General Manager Rick Spielman indicated Thursday that the Vikings have narrowed their choice for the #3 overall pick in the first round of next Thursday's NFL draft to one of 3 players. The 3 players are LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, and Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon. Spielman says the Vikings have the players rated equally on their draft board and must decide which is the greatest position of need.

The Vikings appear to be running out of options for a Stadium in Minnesota. NFL executive VP Eric Grubman says "you have a very dejected ownership. They've run out of options. They feel like they've done everything they've been asked to do and they can't get a vote. No one will answer the question, What is it going to take?" The Vikings had their latest attempt at a stadium die in conference committee Monday night.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Vikings Vice President of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley says "There is no next year" when asked if the Vikings would pursue a Stadium deal during the next legislative session. Governor Mark Dayton responded Tuesday after the Viking Stadium bill failed in conference committee Monday night saying that the Vikings will get their stadium in 2013. Bagley went on to say "The last governor said in 2006 we'll come back and work on yours next year. That was 6 years ago. No action this year is a decision."

The Vikings signed free agent linebacker Marvin Mitchell Tuesday to a contract. The 27-year old Mitchell was a 7th round pick by New Orleans in 2007 and played 4 seasons with the Saints before playing last season with Miami. Mitchell had 30 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack and 1 interception last season with the Dolphins. He primarily played on special teams for the Dolphins.

The Vikings signed free agent cornerback Chris Carr Wednesday. Terms of his deal were not disclosed. Carr is a 28-year old 5'10 182 pound veteran who played 9 games in Baltimore in 2011. He had 19 tackles and 1 sack with no interceptions. Carr will compete for playing time with Chris Cook, Antoine Winfield, newly signed Zack Bowman and Asher Allen.

According to Mike Florio at Profootballtalk.com the Vikings pursued retired NFL head coach Bill Parcells to "run the show" in Minnesota. The New York Post said the Vikings are currently "putting the hard sell" on Parcells while Parcells considers coming out of retirement to coach the New Orleans Saints in 2012 while his friend, Sean Payton serves a 1-year suspension for his role in the bounty system in New Orleans.

The Vikings have been awarded 2 4th round compensatory picks in this April's NFL Draft. The picks are 128th and 134th overall. The picks were expected by the Vikings but were announced Monday. These compensatory picks are awarded to teams with a net loss of unrestricted free agents, determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors.

The Vikings have signed free agent cornerback Zack Bowman to a 1-year contract. Bowman was a starter last season with the Bears in Chicago. He had 15 tackles in 16 games in 2011 with no interceptions for the Bears. Bowman was a 5th round pick by Chicago in 2008.

The Vikings have signed free agent offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz. Terms of his deal were not announced. The 25-year old Schwartz spent his first 3 seasons with Carolina. He made 19 starts in his first 2 seasons but missed all of last season with a hip injury. He's expected to compete with Joe Berger for the starting right guard position for the Vikings.

The Minnesota Vikings say cornerback Chris Cook's acquittal on assault charges has opened the door for him to return to the team.