Here in Eden Praire, Minn., the big story of the Vikings OTAs was that rehabbing stars Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin put on a show racing each other. More on that later. But the most surprising story? That was that cornerback Asher Allen decided to retire. At just 24 years old, Allen is calling it quits. Coach Leslie Frazier announced the news, saying it wasn’t for health reasons. It was just what Allen wanted. “I didn’t see that coming,” Frazier said. “But everybody has to make decisions that are the best for their family. … He came in my office last Thursday, talked about it and informed me of what he wanted to do.“ After the OTAs, I spoke with GM Rick [...]

Happy Wednesday everybody. I know this is going to be hard for you to concentrate today because your Los Angeles Kings are in the Stanley Cup Finals (which starts tonight at 5 p.m.), but can we at least try to get through some fantasy content?

Dear Interwebs: I don’t ask for much. Maybe a dumb picture here. Maybe a stupid movie there. Some sort of snarky article on Deadspin or the Big Lead will usually suffice. I’m low maintenance. But I will ask for something now. Hopefully, I’ve saved up my favors. Hopefully, one puny request won’t fall on deaf ears. Because last night, I came across this item on the gossip side of the Internet linking Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski and famous for something Kim Kardashian as a item. The “news” is short on details, and who knows if it’s real? I acknowledge that it could be completely bogus, just like all those ridiculous gossipy magazines The Banktress reads. But if it was real — [...]

The Lions have had their share of off-the-field issues. Yeah… you may have read about it. Colleague Albert Breer broke it down nicely earlier today. With a troubled but talented draft class from 2011, they have a lot work to do to right the situation. Nick Fairley’s arrest for DUI this weekend was only the latest in a string of disciplinary issues. The courts will have to handle some of it. But so will Commissioner Roger Goodell thanks to the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Poor judgment situations like Fairley’s and that of RB Mikel LeShoure rarely benefit anyone, and as Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com tells us, the Lions as a franchise could be whacked in the pocket book for it. But [...]

You read earlier today about former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Sean Gilbert and his strong feelings about the situation surrounding Saints QB Drew Brees. As the last player to sit out an entire year in protest of the franchise tag, Gilbert has more than earned his bona fides on this topic. It’s been 15 years since Gilbert battled the franchise tag, sat out a year, then proved it was worth it. And he still hasn’t warmed up to the concept of the tag, which was, once again, part of the newest collective bargaining agreement. No, his serious opinions weren’t only for Brees. Want to hear Gilbert’s thoughts on the franchise tag? On his dealings with the franchise tag: “I wasn’t [...]

There are so few people who can understand what Drew Brees is going through. The Saints franchise quarterback is without a contract for 2012, and he doesn’t want to sign his franchise tag that provides no long-term security. A contract drama that has played out in public may result in Brees missing mandatory mini-camp, some of training camp, and then who knows? The possibilities are chilling and endless. To gain some perspective, I spoke to the one person who can understand what Brees is going through and what his options are — Former Pro Bowl DT Sean Gilbert. Still the last player to sit out the entire season in protest of the franchise tag, Gilbert took the one stand so [...]

Hakeem Nicks could be ready for the start of the season, but he still comes with some risk as a WR1.

We’ve read a ton about Mike Jenkins in recent days, as the Cowboys CB is staying home for OTAs. He wants to be traded, yet the Cowboys aren’t into it. Well, the team does have a contingency plan. They could use four cornerbacks on the field at the same time in nickel, which would make Jenkins a pseudo starter. Unconventional? Yup. So is Rob Ryan. Thanks to some help from our buddies at ProFootballFocus.com, we learned it’s rare but not completely unheard of. Really, it’s just an adjustment to today’s pass-happy world. Check out my story on NFL.com about the Cowboys plans to put Jenkins on the field.

A quick and random spin through what the heck happened in the NFL this week …

It’s easy to call someone a bust. You just look at a series of poor performances for a guy who was drafted highly, write that he’s a bust, and boom, he’s a bust. Even this week, Ravens WR Tommy Street was fighting through “bust” labels on, like, Day 2. Really?

It’s the holiday weekend, and everyone is heading off to their various locales. But before you do… let’s take a moment to try to figure out what’s up with Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins. You’ve probably seen by now that sources say the Colts are pushing to trade for him. They appear a little frustrated, though, at some of their offers not getting any traction. As for why that is, a high-ranking Cowboys source told me, “We’re not interested in trading Mike Jenkins.” OK, then. So… What does this all mean? Well, let’s play the semantics game. That’s really how to solve this. The Cowboys say they are not “interested” in trading Jenkins. That’s a little softer than what coach Jason [...]

The Cowboys wrapped up their first week of OTAs with a bunch of players making their first appearance in a while because of injury, and others making their first appearance as Cowboys. It was only open to the media one day, and we’ve already written some about it. Want some more details and reactions? OK, then… Here’s what’s up: – Training camp is still months away, but I’m already looking forward to one particular aspect of it. WR Dez Bryant and CB Brandon Carr are slated to have some serious one-on-one battles, and I am slated to enjoy watching them. The physical receiver needs a little more seasoning, and Carr needs to get acclimated to the Cowboys defense. Should be [...]

The Saints held OTAs today, and it was open to the media. For the first time, everyone watched a Saints practice without coach Sean Payton or QB Drew Brees. Payton is suspended along with some others, and Brees is staying away because of contract issues. I surmised recently that the suspensions would actually help Brees, and no doubt the scene of little Chase Daniel running the team must’ve been jarring. Couldn’t have been pretty. Brees’ stance is noted by all. Reading the transcripts of the interviews of several Saints players and coaches, though, I can’t help but take one thing away from it: They think Brees will come back soon.  Sounds like they are optimistic or convinced it’ll happen. That [...]

Time to rearrange the fantasy rankings following word Hakeem Nicks broke a bone in his foot, which the team announced on Thursday. Nicks will undergo surgery on Friday and is expected to be out 12 weeks, which would push his return to sometime around training camp and the opening of the season.

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is talented. Duh. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s got great hands, he has great balance. Yet we are all still waiting to see how good the former first-round pick from Oklahoma State can be.