games against the Blackhawks. ... Chicago D Mich | Forum

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have taken another one of their priority free agents off the market before it opens, agreeing to terms on a five-year contract with defensive end Everson Griffen that features $20 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $42. Canada Goose Chilliwack Bomber Mens .5 million. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press on Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent announced the deal. The NFL free-agent signing period starts Tuesday. The Vikings also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, according to another person with direct knowledge of that deal who spoke to the AP on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent confirmed the agreement. Brinkley played for the Arizona Cardinals last season. Two days ago, the Vikings reached a two-year deal with quarterback Matt Cassel worth as much as $10 million. The 26-year-old Griffen, a fourth-round draft pick from USC in 2010, has an opening to become a full-time player with the departure of four-time All-Pro Jared Allen, who will officially become a free agent on Tuesday and wont be re-signed. Allen and Brian Robison have been the starting defensive ends for almost Griffens entire NFL career, though he has seen extensive action as a situational pass rusher and on special teams. Griffen is getting paid more for his potential at a critical position in this pass-driven league than for actual production. He had 5 1/2 sacks last season, down from eight in 2012. But he has the speed and athleticism to become a force if he can continue to develop, after making major strides in maturity in overcoming some off-the-field struggles including the sudden death of his mother in 2012. Brinkley rebounded from a serious knee injury in 2007 at South Carolina to be drafted in the fifth round by the Vikings in 2009. After missing the entire 2011 season following major hip surgery, Brinkley bounced back again to become a first-time NFL starter in 2012. He hit free agency the next year and signed with the Cardinals. Brinkley played in 15 games last season and started when Pro Bowl pick Darryl Washington served a suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy, but the Cardinals cut him last month to create more space under their salary cap. So hes used to playing under this type of prove-it circumstance. "They let me know the jobs wide open and its not going to be handed to anybody," Brinkley said. "Everybody has an equal opportunity to earn that spot." As the depth chart currently stands, prior to the actual opening of the free agent market and of course the draft, Brinkley will be in competition with Audie Cole for the starting middle linebacker spot. In the "Tampa Two" defence the Vikings used to use, linebackers had deep drops in zone pass coverage and Brinkley was sometimes exploited. Brinkleys skill set ought to better fit the scheme under new coach Mike Zimmer. "Minnesota has always been home for me. It has a significant place in my heart. I was raised on the frozen tundra," Brinkley said in a phone interview with the AP, foreshadowing the wintry conditions the Vikings could experience late this year at the University of Minnesotas outdoor stadium while their replacement for the Metrodome is under construction. From former Cincinnati cornerback Johnathan Joseph, a fellow South Carolina alumnus, Brinkley received a favourable report of Zimmer, who was Josephs defensive co-ordinator with the Bengals. "Hes a defensive guy. Hes a straight shooter. Hes going to tell you how it is. He does magical things with his defensive guys," Brinkley said. Canada Goose Chelsea Parka Uk .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Canada Goose Jacket Womens Uk . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. http:///...-jacket-mens-uk.html . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. TAMPA, Fla. -- Radko Gudas was able to joke after being centre stage in what both coaches called a crazy ending. The Tampa Bay defenceman had a puck go off him late in the third and then assisted on Martin St. Louis goal 1:16 into overtime as the Lightning beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-5 on Thursday night. Chicagos Jonathan Toews was credited with a game-tying goal with 1:49 left in the third after the Lightning put the puck into their own net. Tampa Bay defenceman Matt Carle sent the puck from the neutral zone back into the Lightning defensive zone, where it went off Gudas and past a stunned goalie Ben Bishop into the net. "I didnt think the first (goal) of the season was going to be like that," said Gudas, who hasnt scored a goal this season. "It bounced right in front of me, hit my (stick) shaft, my ankle and went straight in." Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said it seemed as if the goal took place in slow motion. "Theres been some crazy goals the last year and a half, and thats one of them," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville added. St. Louis got the game-winner from in-close, with Gudas getting his second assist of the season on the play. "Obviously, that makes it a little better," Gudas said. "We got the win after all, even if something like that happens." St. Louis, the Tampa Bay captain, also had an assist and moved past Neal Broten (923) for 93rd place on the career points list with 924. Bishop stopped 38 shots. Steven Stamkos scored a tiebreaking power-play goal as Tampa Bay (6-3-0) went up 5-4 at 17:31 of the third. Stamkos finished with two goals and two assists. Carle, Nate Thompson and Victor Hedman had the other Tampa Bay goals. The Lightning have beaten the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks twice this season. Tampa Bay rallied from a 2-0, third-period deficit for a 3-2 shootout win in Chicago on Oct. 5. "You look at the game that we stole in Chicago ... I dont think we stole tonights," Coooper said. Canada Goose Jacket Womens Sale. Chicago (6-1-3) also got goals from Bryan Bickell, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Andrew Shaw. Kane assisted on Shaws goal, giving him five goals and 15 points in eight games against Tampa Bay. Chicago took a 4-3 lead 93 seconds into the third on Shaws in-close power-play goal. It was the first time the Blackhawks have scored during the third period since opening night. Hedmans first goal in 41 games tied it at 4 at 11:03 of the third. After blowing a two-goal lead, Stamkos gave Tampa Bay a 3-2 advantage at 17:21 of the second when he beat backup goalie Nikolai Khabibulin from the top of the right circle. It was just Khabibulins second start in Tampa since helping the Lightning win the 2004 Stanley Cup. Khabibulin made 19 saves. "Hell be better going forward," Quenneville said. Kane pulled the Blackhawks even at 3-3 on a breakaway goal with 1:07 remaining in the second. Bickell cut the Blackhawks deficit to 2-1 with a rebound goal with 11 minutes left in the second. The left wing has a goal in three consecutive games. Chicago tied it at 2-all on Hossas thigh-high re-direction 1:36 after Bickell scored. Hossa has 438 goals, which ties him for 62nd place all-time with Gary Roberts. Tampa Bay took advantage of its first power play as Carle put the Lightning up 1-0 6:28 into the game. The Blackhawks entered with the NHLs third-worst short-handed unit. Thompson stopped a 19-game goal drought to make it 2-0 during a short-handed 2-on-1 at 1:24 of the second. NOTES: There were a number of Hockey Hall of Famers with ties to the Blackhawks in attendance. Current Lightning broadcaster Phil Esposito spent time with former teammate Bobby Hull. Others at the game included Stan Mikita and current Blackhawks senior adviser Scotty Bowman. ... Stamkos has nine goals and 14 points in seven games against the Blackhawks. ... Chicago D Michael Kostka is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a lower-body injury. He was hurt during practice Tuesday. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jersey ' ' '