[CBFF] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Was that Berrian? You betcha - Sent Using Google Toolbar

[Tom Shannon]

Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Was that Berrian? You betcha

Was that Berrian? You betcha March 1st, 2008 – 12:12 PM by Judd Zulgad


An odd thing happened as media members waited in the Winter Park
practice facility for the Madieu Williams' news conference to begin. A
Vikings official and someone wearing a Vikings cap and with a Vikings
jersey in his arm emerged from the team's weight room.

First thought: Did we just see Bernard Berrian? It certainly wasn't
Williams and it looked like Berrian. (Update: After examining his
picture in the Bears media guide, we are now sure it was the 6-foot-1
Berrian.)

Later in the Williams' news conference Vikings coach Brad Childress
did say that Berrian remained upstairs at Winter Park and that talks
were still ongoing with the receiver. "He's not here against his
will," Childress joked. "He's not shackled."

But he could be a very rich man, very soon. Vikings exec Rick Spielman
did and would not say if Berrian was going to try to take a visit to
Oakland today. At this point, it would not be surprising to get wind
of a Berrian news conference later this afternoon or Sunday morning.

As for defensive end Justin Smith, who signed with San Francisco and
did not visit Minnesota, Spielman did not want to comment. "He's
signed with the 49ers, so leave it at that," Spielman said.

Updated quote: We just received an e-mail from Smith's agent, Jim
Steiner, asking for a comment on his client's decision. Honestly, it
probably wasn't that tough of call considering Smith received a
six-year deal that includes $20 million guaranteed.

"Justin felt San Francisco was the place for him," Steiner said. "It
was very,very close however. He was scheduled to go to Minnesota
Saturday [morning] but it just didn't work out. The Vikes were great,
but in the end the player made the call."

Vikings interested in Walker

ESPN.com is reporting the Vikings are one of 10 teams that have
expressed an interest in receiver Javon Walker. No visits had been
scheduled as of early Saturday. Here's the story. Walker was released
by Denver on Friday.

Walker played in a version of the Vikings' offense when he was with
the Green Bay Packers. Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell
was the Packers quarterbacks coach when Walker was in Green Bay.
Walker also has some friends in the Vikings locker room, including
safety Darren Sharper. The two were teammates in Green Bay.

Walker also was a teammate of Vikings receiver Robert Ferguson.
However, Ferguson is a free agent and could be looking elsewhere if
the Vikings do land Bernard Berrian.