arted for the Spurs despite a sore hamstring. He scored 1 | Forum

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. Under Armour Micro g Torch Black . - New Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has taken a methodical approach to evaluating the teams muddled quarterback situation, refusing to make any concrete statements about the position until he had time to do his homework and come to a decision. With free agency less than a week away, the coach appears to have come to at least one conclusion: Zimmer wants Matt Cassel to return to Minnesota next season, if the free agent-to-be decides he wants to be with the Vikings. "I would love to have Matt Cassel back if Matt Cassel wants to be back," Zimmer said Thursday. "I dont know if that will happen or wont happen. But were going to find a quarterback somewhere. And if its not Matt Cassel, then well find someone else. "I want guys who want to be here. I want guys that want to be part of the franchise, be part of the organization, be part of the team. And if Matt wants to come back, Im sure that well get it worked out." Zimmer said he has had conversations with Cassel, who went 3-3 in his six starts last season and was on the field at the end of the game for all five Vikings victories, to that effect. Cassel opted out of his contract last month and Zimmer said he expected Cassel to explore free agency before the quarterback makes a decision. Free agents can sign with new teams starting on Tuesday. "Hes got a bunch of pretty girls looking at him right now," Zimmer said, referring to teams that are expected to court Cassel in free agency. "And he wants to explore and see whats best for him. I dont blame any of these guys. In free agency, I think thats why they have the rules is that they get a chance to go see what their markets worth." Last year Cassel split the duties with Christian Ponder for most of the season, with Josh Freeman also getting one start. Cassel completed 60.2 per cent of his passes for 1,807 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. "I think the team rallied around him a lot but I think the team has a lot of confidence in him," Zimmer said. "Other than playing against him I dont that much about him yet other than the conversation that we had on the phone." The Vikings have the eighth overall pick in the upcoming draft and are expected to look at drafting a quarterback. But with star running back Adrian Peterson approaching 30 years old, bringing in a veteran quarterback to serve as a bridge until that young player is ready is an avenue the team will consider. One player Peterson wants the Vikings to pursue is Michael Vick, who likely will be looking for a starting job after losing his in Philadelphia to Nick Foles. Peterson tweeted on Thursday that Vick "would (instantly) make the Vikings a playoff team!" "I think he has his opinions," Zimmer said about Peterson. "I like Adrian a lot from the little time that Ive talked to him. I know that hes a great running back. I dont know anything else." Zimmer said he would also like to have receiver Jerome Simpson and longtime defensive stars Jared Allen and Kevin Williams back as well, if all three decide they want to play for the Vikings and accept what could be different roles than the ones they had under the previous regime. Allen and Williams likely would have to take significant paycuts to return. "I think it would be great for him to finish here," Zimmer said of Allen, "but I do understand the business part of all this stuff and if it doesnt work out, it doesnt work out." In general, Zimmer said the Vikings have "a lot of holes to fill" on both sides of the ball as free agency approaches. But the coach expected the team to take a pragmatic approach, focusing more on the draft than making a big splash by signing high-priced veterans. "I think if we go out and spend a whole bunch of money now, wed be upset two years from now because some of them didnt work out," Zimmer said. "So were going to be real diligent in how we approach this and making sure that not only is it best for next year, but best for the long run too." NOTES: The Vikings released DT LeTroy Guion and WR Greg Childs. Guion started 31 games in six seasons with the Vikings, but the team saved $4 million by cutting him. Childs was a fourth-round draft choice in 2012, but never played in a game after tearing the patellar tendons in both knees in training camp during his rookie year. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Under Armour Clutchfit Drive 2 Blue . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Under Armour Apollo Vent Black . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. http://www.underarmourshoesnz.com/ .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend.DALLAS -- Tim Duncan has come up big in crunch time hundreds of times having being with coach Gregg Popovich for 17 seasons. Danny Green, a relative newcomer, is fitting in just fine in just his fourth season with the San Antonio Spurs. Green didnt miss a shot in a 22-point performance that helped the Spurs defeat the Dallas Mavericks 116-107 Thursday night. Taking advantage of a weakened Dallas frontcourt, Duncan finished 21 points and 13 rebounds for his 10th double-double this season and 768th of his career. "Danny Green was on fire from 3, and we were able to build up a little lead and hang on," Popovich said. Green has started 26 of the Spurs 30 games this season, but he didnt even come off the bench until 3 1/2 minutes remained in the first quarter Thursday. Less than a minute later, he made three free throws to tie the game 18-18. San Antonio didnt trail again. Green finished the game 7 for 7 from the field, including five 3-pointers. He scored 11 points in the second quarter. "I got into a little rhythm going to the free throw line," Green said. "They just kept finding me when I was open. It got easier when we got some stops and steals and in transition. Thats how I get most of my open looks." Green said coming off the bench sometimes helps him get better looks. "Thats part of what Pop is trying to experiment with, to see how it goes," Green said. "See who works with what." Duncan is one of the constants. The Spurs appeared to have the game in hand with a 100-85 lead, but the Mavericks went on a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to three points with 3:55 to play. On San Antonios next four trips down the court, Duncan scored three baskets and passed to Green for his final 3-pointer and a 110-103 lead. "They made their run, made some turnovers and got back into the game, but we were able to make some good plays, pick and roll, got them to suck in one time and got it out to Danny," Duncan said. "Danny knocks down a big 3 or us. Good execution down the stretch." The 6-foot-11 Duncan was working most of the night against 6-7 DeJuan Blair because the Maverricks taller centres, Samuel Dalembert and Brandan Wright, had an undisclosed illness. Stephen Curry 2 Shoes Low. Dalembert played 24 minutes, but Wright didnt dress. "Anywhere close to the basket, its pretty much two points for (Duncan)," said Dallas Vince Carter, who scored 20 points. "You just hope he has an off night. Popovich was even more impressed by Duncans work on defence. "He was tremendous at the defensive end, he was changing shots, blocking shots, rebounded and he really protected the rim for us tonight." Tony Parker, who scored 23 points for the Spurs, agreed that in the end it came down to defence. "They had a pretty good zone. We struggled for a couple of possessions," the Spurs point guard said. "At the end, we got it back and we got the stops that we needed to win the game. Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 25 points and Monta Ellis scored 23, including nine during the 12-0 run. Blair had 14 points and 11 rebounds. After Green tied the game with his first-quarter free throws, Manu Ginobili scored five consecutive points on a 3-point shot and a layup with an assist from Boris Diaw. Dallas began the game 3 for 10 from the foul line before Nowitzki hit two at 7:26 of the second. That began a streak of 21 in a row, and Dallas finished 24 for 31. The Mavericks scored the first five points of the second half on Jose Calderons 3-pointer and Nowitzkis fadeaway to pull within 58-56. A 9-0 run, with the first six points by Parker, boosted the Spurs lead to 71-60. For the third time, San Antonio finished a quarter with a seven-point lead, this time at 84-77. "I thought we did a pretty good job to get close," Carter said. "We were able to give ourselves a chance to win." NOTES: The illness that struck Wright and Dalembert has been going through Dallas locker room. ... The Spurs are 7-2 in the second of back-to-back games this season. ... San Antonios 13-3 road record is the NBAs best. Portland is second at 12-3. ... Center Tiago Splitter started for the Spurs despite a sore hamstring. He scored 12 points, all in the first half. 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 ' ' '