We’re pretty excited about that, … The situation is not as bad as some people might be saying it is. If we ask for something, we get it.

I think anything from the 36-yard line and in, I’m not going to blink. I think he’s shown enough consistency from 54 that it doesn’t bother me anymore.

He’ll get prepared for surgery at some point in the next few weeks and then he’ll be out for the season. This is just another hurdle we’ll have to overcome as a football team.

He’s got a history, and we know him. The tough thing is going to be how many [receivers] am I going to keep? Do we keep five, do we keep six? Do we even think...

I talked to Brian about three weeks ago to see how he was doing. I know he was under a little bit of heat. Of course, I know what that is like, so I figured...

I don’t pay any attention, and I don’t want to know about it. I’ve changed in that respect. I used to use it as hype. Now I just want a consistent football team.

I think the young kid is just scratching the surface. I mean, he has got a big leg, and he’s very composed.

I thought last week’s game was ugly and this was even uglier.

They called back a big touchdown. That one bothered me.

Steve had an excellent preseason, and I think he has really improved over the last year. It was a tough cut, but we have a draft pick in [defensive tackle] C.J. Mosley, who has shown...

Right after the first Green Bay game, (a 34-31, Nov. 14 Vikings loss), I made us take everything out,

Unfortunately this season so far there have been more times when I have looked in the mirror … and feel like I can put on the uniform and feel like I can do a little...

Chris was a good player for us for a number of years,

Gosh, in the first four minutes, it looked like we were going to have another repeat of the penalty deal, … But we ended up with five penalties, so we played smarter.

I have purposely not gotten into conversations or debates with any players about the alleged incident. I’m letting the proper circles handle that. Then I’ll be notified about what the findings are, and then I’ll...

Dean is going to be the one taking the fall,” said a former Vikings player from the 2003 team.

It came evident to me as a veteran player that he was going to get caught up in the numbers. We have a number of bright, young prospects who are ahead of him on the...

I think that reflects some of what we are about as Vikings, … Unfortunately there are a select few. I think there was a movie called, Above the Law . … It is a shame.

Marcus Johnson is our guy. We all have to understand, as coaches, ownership, personnel department, fans, media is that when we put a young guy in there he is going to have some moments where...

This is just another hurdle we have to overcome.

He’s very highly thought of in kicking circles, … But he is a rookie.

Let’s talk about Chicago. It’s Friday. It’s been a long week, very emotionally drained. I hope you can appreciate that.

I sold some of my tickets this year. I did. I told the league that and I told [team owner] Red McCombs that. I’m not going to lie. But if I’m going to be thrown...

I think more than anything that is what I’ve put my thumb on,

He looks lighter, which makes him quicker. He’s working extremely hard, which he always has.

It didn’t work for either party anymore.

I’m not going to keep him from being a great player. If I told him to stay in the pocket and not make plays with his legs, he wouldn’t be the same player. I don’t...

What history? What tradition? Losing four Super Bowls? Not selling out at (former home stadium) Met Stadium?

I don’t know. I’m not a psychologist. I can’t tell you how much.

It’s tough. He wants to do well,

When we looked at our team, the one thing we felt we lacked was veteran leadership and consistency as far as playmakers on defense,

our kicker tonight kicked well.

I think early on he was getting some pressure in his face up the middle. I think that got him a little off rhythm.

good to go for Sunday or if he needs to shut it down.

Yeah, Matt Birk and some guys gave it to me,

(We have) two new linemen and the first and second receivers from last year weren’t on the field, … Those are key, important factors to note. That and there was a change in leadership in...

It’s sort of unbelievable, if you think about it.

His spirits are OK. He’s OK. Obviously, he’s not great. I think that’s the best you can say.

He looks to me to be in better rhythm than he was earlier in his career. That’s part of the growth. He seems to have a grasp of the offense.

Redemption is good. All of us by nature have tremendous pride in what we do. We not only have Ted and Sam wanting to prove themselves, we have some other guys who want to prove...

I know the veteran leaders will help us stay settled down on the road, … It is never easy and composure is a key.

His spirits are OK. I think that is the best you can say.

But then you have a fumble ?

The players right now, like the coaches, are searching for an identity, … With new players on defense, they are trying to find a balance of what we want to do and what the players...

Look, when you go to some stadiums, it’s so deafening that you can’t hear. When you have 15,000-20,000 of the opponent’s fans in there, it’s not deafening. There is a difference. The fans that were...

Potentially, yes, because we have so many young stallions. And now we have some guys who can teach them how to be pros. That’s the key. We’ve got plenty of young stallions, I promise you....

I was nice that (defensive lineman) Pat Williams, Fred and Darren all made plays for us. That’s what we brought them in here to do.

Those are the kind of players that you need to win.

Cold and sticky, like I always dreamed it would be. I’m just happy for the guys. I knew we were going to have to work hard, based on how new I am and all the...

What I see this week is Mike [Bennett] as the starter, and hopefully he has enough conditioning from the [first] game … then Moe will be his spell guy and take third downs. That would...