Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie, who played at the University of Miami, is 6 feet 8, 335 pounds. Miami freshman offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson, who played at Cretin-Derham Hall, also is 6-8 and about 335 pounds.

McKinnie said he had nothing to do with his alma mater's recruitment of Henderson after Henderson reneged on a commitment to the University of Southern California following NCAA's sanctions against the Trojans.

"But I'm glad he's at Miami," McKinnie said. "I'm going to work with him in the offseason."

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(twincities.com)

Tackle Bryant McKinnie has been one of the most talked parts of the Minnesota Vikings -- for the right and wrong reasons. As he enters the final year of his contract, he may need to prove that he still has what it takes to hold the starting position.

McKinnie's condition has been frequently questioned, and this August is no different.

"Early on in the camp, he was doing a really nice job," said Vikings offensive coordinator Derrell Bevell. "I saw him play fast, saw him playing physical. I think some of those bigger guys, you know the heat, affects them more at times."

However, the heat will give way eventually and McKinnie will focus on football exclusively. When he does, he has some good incentive from the 2010 season. The name Julius Peppers might ring a bell.

Peppers, who is now on the Chicago Bears, so thoroughly dominated McKinnie on Dec. 20 that he was benched for the second half of the loss.

"That was just an off game I had," said McKinnie. "Of course I'm going to be a little more motivated when I play him this time. That's just a good challenge for me."

Also, with him entering the final year of his contract, the sound of money can be motivating.

"I am, am I? I didn't think of that! So, I definitely want to play well this season," laughed McKinnie.

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(wcco.com)

First, thanks to Kevin Seifert and one of his readers (Emily) over at ESPN for pointing out this halarious video.

Second, while watching it keep a close eye on some of the donations being listed on the bottom of the screen.

Third, does anyone else think this is the most effort Bryant McKinnie has put into keeping Brett Favre on the field in about a year?  I’m surprised he didn’t need Jim Kleinsasser on the stage to help him out and provide backup.

Enjoy!



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(vikingsgab.com)

Left tackle Bryant McKinnie was taken from the field late in the second session after being overcome by the heat. The Vikings athletic training staff quickly tended to McKinnie as he knelt on the field, putting cool packs on his neck and back. They then took him into a trailer just off the practice field to cool down. McKinnie emerged after about 15 minutes and returned to the locker room.

The Vikings, who experienced the tragedy of offensive lineman Korey Stringer's death because of complications from heat stroke in August 2001, have been extremely proactive in making sure their players are hydrated properly and ready for the summer heat and humidity.

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(startribune.com)

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The Sporting News is busy counting down to training camp by breaking down each roster and trying to provide a unique preview of sorts.

For example, middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley has their vote for breakout player of the year for the purple and gold.  Also, they predict that without Favre there is virtually no chance of the Vikings playing in February.

The most interesting portion of the story, however, is under the “Opponent’s View” section.  In this section, an unnamed opponent gives his take on the Vikings and it isn’t pretty:

You know what, their offensive line is not that good. They’re way overrated. It’s unbelievable. If they didn’t have Brett Favre, the number of times he gets them out of trouble is amazing. Left tackle Bryant McKinnie, it’s a joke that he made the Pro Bowl. A joke. …

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(nflgridirongab.com)

Bryant McKinnie’s offseason started a little sooner than he wanted. First there was the overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game, which was followed by the Pro Bowl flap in which he was dismissed from the NFC team when he didn’t report to practice late in the week.

McKinnie, the eight-year veteran Vikings tackle, made his first Pro Bowl in February, but after missing practices on that Thursday and Friday, he was dismissed from the team. He said he talked to a trainer for the NFC Pro Bowl team on the phone and the two were attempting to meet that Friday evening, but that never happened.

McKinnie was criticized for missing the practices but also being able to send messages to his Twitter account about a party he was attending at a night club that lasted into the morning before his first skipped practice.

When all the dust had settled, McKinnie revealed that he was also dealing with plantar fasciitis, a painful condition in the feet. This week, McKinnie said that ailment is improving.

“I’m still working on it, but it’s nowhere near what it was coming out of the season. On Twitter I even said I had to get my feet up, take some medicine like that,” the 6-foot-8, 335-pound McKinnie said. “It’s a lot better. (The doctor) just told me, ‘Don’t walk around bare-footed’ or not really supposed to wear slides in there. I’m supposed to get orthodics for my shoes.”

McKinnie and guard Anthony Herrera were both at Winter Park on Wednesday to take part in some of the organized team activities (OTAs). Like most of the starting veterans, they joined their younger teammates for stretching and then returned to the building for rehab and weight training.

But, unlike a lot of the other starters who are recovering from injury, McKinnie and Herrera returned to the field later in practice. They participated in some of the team cross-work and blitz segments after the individual technique work was done.

“Individual is more showing technique and I guess they thought we’d been there long enough that we have an idea of how to get the technique part down. Just doing some extra running to get the cardio right,” McKinnie said.

McKinnie was asked if he’s bulked up or done anything different this year and he joked that a lot of people have asked him that. “I must look heavier because every day somebody else says that, ‘You look a little heavy,’ like the jersey is stretched out,” he said.

Truth is, he doesn’t look much different than he did one year ago, when he started on his journey to his first Pro Bowl season. But in order to get there, he had to battle through ankle and feet injuries. However, he wasn’t alone.

Every starter on the offensive line was dealing with varying degrees of injury that could have knocked them out of action – in addition to McKinnie’s ailments, Steve Hutchinson and Herrera were dealing with shoulder injuries, John Sullivan had an ankle problem and Phil Loadholt had shoulder and ankle injuries.

“I know a lot of people took care of the injuries with the offseason too. That’s why you see Hutch and Sully in there doing the rehab, the running and lifting stuff,” McKinnie said. “As long as everybody’s healthy, that’s my whole thing.”

McKinnie isn’t completely healthy yet, but he’s hoping to get there and regain the confidence of his teammates.

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(min.scout.com)

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie knows the importance of Friday's ruling regarding Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.

"That's great news!" he said via text message of the news that the Williams Wall would be in place for the 2010 season after Hennepin County Judge Gary Larson kept in place an injunction that protects the Vikings' defensive tackles from suspension.

With the Williamses in place along the defensive front, McKinnie feels more optimistic than ever about the upcoming season.

"Of course! We pretty much have our team back in full," he texted.

He's right. On offense and defense, 21 of the 22 starters are under contract. Defensive end Ray Edwards is the lone exception, and he's a restricted free agent who's expected to sign at some point during this offseason.

Now the biggest question facing the Vikings is the future of quarterback Brett Favre, who reportedly had surgery Friday on his injured left ankle and should be ready to play when the regular season starts.

He certainly has plenty of incentive, starting with a rematch of last season's NFC championship game at New Orleans, scheduled for Sept. 9.

The Williamses will be on the field for that game, as well as Saints defensive end Will Smith, who tested positive for the same banned diuretic as the Vikings' defensive tackles in 2008. The NFL has avoided suspending Smith while the Williamses' lawsuit against the league is decided.

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(twincities.com)

27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="q3ooelhd" width="432" height="415"><a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&amp;brand=foxsports&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:6bf8edc5-e007-4726-b56a-ef3a99ae4db9&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_videosearch&amp;fg=everyzing" target="_new" title="McKinnie eager for 2010 season">Video: McKinnie eager for 2010 season</a>

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(foxsports.com)

It will be interesting whether the Vikings consider trading left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who has disappointed them with off-field behavior, for a draft pick or player. Washington or Oakland would seem logical suitors. Phil Loadholt, the Vikings' second-round draft pick last year, has shown he could move into McKinnie's spot if needed.

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(twincities.com)

We've bashed Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie a few times this offseason, in some cases a result of his prolific use of Twitter. So I think it's only fair to pass along a series of tweets McKinnie issued Friday about a community service project he has initiated, one that struck me as particularly warm and original.

I'll let the tweets speak for themselves and carry us into the weekend:

I'm on my way 2 the school 2 surprise the girl we choose 2 take care of her prom. I'm gonna fill u guys n on her story.

Found a girl who is a Senior n High School,has good grades and a good role model. Right now her mother is n the hospital battling cancer

And she is left 2 take care oif her 2 younger siblings. A lot of there money goes 2 household bills and mother's hospital bills so that

Makes it hard 4 extra money 4 her 2 enjoy her senior prom! That's where I come n! I had ppl research 4 the perfect candidate and she won!

I will be paying 4 her entire prom from clothes 2 make-up, 2 transportation. On her Prom nite I will go with her 2 the hospital so her [mom]

Can see her dressed up 4 the prom! We will be filming this whole process, so I will let yall know 4 sure when this will air.

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(espn.com)

Here is a video Bryant McKinnie broadcasted over UStream of a BBQ he threw at his house. The video features McKinnie, Edgerrin James, Jeremy Shockey, Vernon Carey, Katrina Campins and many more! We thank Katrina for sending us the link to the video.



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Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie had a nightmarish performance against Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers in a 26-7 loss last season.

McKinnie was benched after giving up two sacks and being called for two penalties as Peppers kept him on his heels all game. McKinnie later said his technique got "out of whack" and said he was playing on an injured foot.

McKinnie now must face Peppers twice a season after he signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. McKinnie was asked whether he's excited or worried about having Peppers in the same division during a live chat on NFL.com on Thursday.

"First off, I was hurt when I played against him," McKinnie wrote. "I'm really excited to play against him again and get another shot at that. I'm looking forward to playing him twice per season."

McKinnie also weighed in on the Vikings needs in the draft when asked what is the team's biggest need for improvement this season.

"Probably the safety position," McKinnie wrote. "We could use some help there. As a team, I would like to see us improve on penalties. Our special teams was strong last year too."

Like most everyone else, McKinnie also said he believe Brett Favre will return next season. You can read the transcript from the live chat right here.

-- Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is scheduled to attend the Pro Day workout of Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen today. Clausen is widely regarded as the No. 2 quarterback in the draft but there has been speculation that he could fall in the first round after Washington traded for Donovan McNabb. 

UPDATE: McKinnie received national criticism for blowing off the Pro Bowl and has been the target of criticism this offseason, including on this blog. But we feel it's only fair to also make note of a heartfelt gesture McKinnie made to help a young girl in a tough situation.

McKinnie tweeted about it this morning and he wrote in a text to us that he's fine if we share it here with his quotes.

Here was his tweet in full:
"Found a girl who is a Senior n High School, has good grades and a good role model. Right now her mother is n the hospital battling cancer. ... And she is left 2 take care of her 2 younger siblings. A lot of there money goes 2 household bills and mother's hospital bills so that ... Makes it hard 4 extra money 4 her 2 enjoy her senior prom! That's where I come n! I had ppl research 4 the perfect candidate and she won! ... I will be paying 4 her entire prom from clothes 2 make-up, 2 transportation. On her Prom nite I will go with her 2 the hospital so her [mom] ... Can see her dressed up 4 the prom! We will be filming this whole process, so I will let yall know 4 sure when this will air."

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(startribune.com)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked Wednesday about why Bryant McKinnie was “fined” for not participating in the Pro Bowl. McKinnie said he had an injury that he thought he could play through, but his injury concerns weren’t relayed to the NFC coaching staff in a timely manner and therefore the NFC squad didn’t have enough time to find a replacement for him. McKinnie had to pay back almost $5,000 in Pro Bowl expenses and forfeit his Pro Bowl check.

“I don’t know the specifics on it. Our staff was handling the specifics, so I can’t talk to the specifics of whether we fined him or didn’t fine him,” Goodell said. “Believe it or not, there are certain things that I don’t get involved with and that’s not one of them. But obviously when we have an NFL event, we want everyone to participate in it as they are obligated to do. It’s part of their contract. It’s part of their obligation.”

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(min.scout.com)

Venus Williams has tackled some pretty large challenges in her day. Racism, sexism and bad fashion sense to name a few.

But none compare to the 6'8, 350-pound mountain of a man known as Bryant McKinnie. Actually, in this case, it is McKinnie who might be shaking in his boots.

The two South Florida athletes are expected to go mano y hermano on the tennis court in a Battle of the Sexes that will probably be pretty one-sided. It's Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs, kind of.

And Williams says she has been practicing for the challenge, too - left-handed.

"It's called the Williams Invitational," Venus said. "I'm playing left-handed so it evens the field. My forehand is pretty mean. My serve is nonexistent, and my backhand is horrible."

Williams plans on taking on at least one of her sisters, her mom and McKinnie in a round robin tourney for...absolutely nothing.

You know, Venus, there is this tournament called the Sony Ericsson Open that starts this week. Maybe you want to try focusing on that. Or not.
Williams' first match on Key Biscayne is on Thursday. She's won the tournament three times and one of her biggest rivals, her sister Serena, has already pulled out of the tourney.

Around this time last year, Venus played Andy Roddick on top of some SUVs on Ocean Drive.

McKinnie, who was a standout at the University of Miami before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, is a freakish athlete for his size and a serviceable tennis player. The two have been dating for about a year now.

While it would be a shock if he could score a point on Venus, the left-handed slap to his manhood might be enough to get McKinnie to sneak a ball or two past the tennis star.

No time or date has been set for the match, but we are hoping McKinnie doesn't go missing like he did when the Pro Bowl came down here this year.

Running from a girl is not allowable no matter the sport.

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(nbcmiami.com)

ORLANDO - Vikings owner Zygi Wilf admits he was "really disappointed" in January when Bryant McKinnie was removed from the NFC Pro Bowl roster after missing practices and meetings.

But Wilf gave an emphatic "no" on Monday when asked if the Vikings might try to trade the left tackle because of this latest incident. "Everyone is shooting from the hip," Wilf said at the NFL owners meetings.

McKinnie has said he did not attend meetings and practices because he realized injuries to his feet and ankle would not enable him to play in the game. However, he did not officially give up his spot on the team soon enough and ended up causing the Vikings some embarrassment.
"We'll move on and we'll find a way to work it through," Wilf said. "That's not a problem."

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(startribune.com)

Here is a photo Bryant Mckinnie tweeted this past week showing himself and Jeremy Shockey fishing in Miami during their days at the U.



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proCanes.com had the opportunity to attent the Sean Taylor Foundation Inaugural Celebrtiy Softball Game last Saturday at St. Thomas University. The event featured a DJ, food, a HR Derby and ultimately the softball game. proCanes Ed Reed and Sinorice Moss were in attendance and played in the Softball game while proCane Bryant McKinnie watched from the stands. The Florida Mermaids and Manatees also made appearances. Check out the photos below and click here to see the full gallery. We want to congratulate the Sean Taylor Foundation on a wonderful event and we can't wait for next year.



















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Vikings LT Bryant McKinnie wrote on Twitter on Friday that his plantar fasciitis is "starting 2 feel better."

Well, this should make the Vikings happy. McKinnie informed his "followers" that he had to have his feet taped for several days, do calf stretches, and take medicine for a week. It's still unclear if he will need surgery.

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie's proCane Rookie Card.



(rotoworld.com)

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie created a stir at the Pro Bowl last month when he was kicked off the NFC roster after missing several practices. McKinnie later took to Twitter to defend himself and explain that he was injured and couldn't have played.

On Monday, McKinnie tweeted that he recently learned he has plantar fasciitis in both of his feet. Plantar fasciitis isn't a new term among Minnesota sports fans. Former Twin Shannon Stewart battled the problem, as did former Timberwolves Micheal Williams and Wally Szczerbiak. All missed substantial time because of the injury. The difference here, of course, is that the Vikings won't report to training camp until late July.

McKinnie tweeted that he has to get his feet taped for three days, do calf stretches and take medicine for a week. "Hopefully, it will [then] be gone," McKinnie said on Twitter. In a text message to Chip, McKinnie said he will go back to his doctor next week. Here is a tweet photo for you.

Vikings coach Brad Childress declined to go into much detail about any injuries at the NFL Scouting Combine last Friday. Childress said linebacker E.J. Henderson (leg) and cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) were coming along and doing rehab work at Winter Park.

Childress also said nose tackle Pat Williams is doing rehab work. Williams missed a game late in the season because of an elbow injury. Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson (shoulder) was due to have surgery shortly after the season but Childress declined to give an update on his progress.

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(startribune.com)

Peter King of Sports Illustrated had campaigned for a stiff fine for Bryant McKinnie missing the Pro Bowl. He used his “Monday Morning Quarterback” column this week to complain about the NFL’s decision, one that King considered far too light.

Sports Illustrated columnist Peter King isn’t finessing his analysis when it comes to Bryant McKinnie skipping out on the Pro Bowl. King is taking it right to the Vikings’ oversized left tackle when it comes to his Pro Bowl performance – or lack thereof – and the NFL’s response to it.

By now, the tale has been told repeatedly. McKinnie missed out on several Pro Bowl practices and there was a clear lack of communication, or at least timely communication, between McKinnie or his agent Drew Rosenhaus and the Cowboys’ coaching staff at the Pro Bowl. Here is how King described the sequence of events in his “Monday Morning Quarterback” column.

“McKinnie openly campaigned on his Twitter feed to get votes for the game, then was voted into the game,” King wrote. “He didn't show up for Wednesday's mandatory practice and offensive line meeting. He arrived at Thursday's offensive-line meeting five minutes before the end of it, leaving the players in the room seething; if they had to be there, why didn't McKinnie? In the room were teammate Steve Hutchinson, who put off much-needed offseason shoulder surgery, and Giants tackle David Diehl, who had painful patellar tendinitis. McKinnie didn't show up at all Friday for the meeting or practice. He did have the intelligence to Tweet about his nocturnal activities while in Miami.”

The last sentence refers to McKinnie Tweeting about a party he attended into the morning hours at The Mansion, a popular Miami nightclub. McKinnie has since confirmed his attendance there, but he said that had nothing to do with why he missed practices and meetings only days before the Pro Bowl.

Instead, McKinnie blamed injuries he suffered during the season and said he thought earlier in the week that he’d be able to get through them but later realized that he wouldn’t play after a cortisone-like shot he took before the NFC Championship Game began to wear off.

Last week, the NFL released a statement to Viking Update and other media outlets regarding the punishment it was handing out to McKinnie.

"As a result of his dismissal from the NFC Pro Bowl team prior to the game, Bryant McKinnie has forfeited his $22,500 game check and is required to reimburse the NFL for $4,285.13 for Pro Bowl expenses that he incurred,” the statement said. “The Competition Committee will review this matter to determine whether additional steps should be taken to deter this type of conduct at the Pro Bowl in the future."

That clearly wasn’t good enough for King, who offered these three reactions to it:

“1. Who in the world thought he was getting the $22,500 in the first place, after being whacked from the team the day before the game? That's no penalty. That's an expectation.

“2. Who in the world thought the NFL would have picked up his expenses for travel to and from and hotel room at a game he, of his own free will, did not participate in? Again, that's no penalty. I would expect the league would take expense money back from a person who didn't live up to his end of the expense deal.

“3. I do appreciate that the Competition Committee will now set some sort of sanction for Pro Bowl players who, for some incredibly immature reason, don't show up for practice or other team functions. But this deserved a $100,000 fine by (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell.”

King admitted that the NFL has more important decisions to make this year, but there was no masking his feelings about its decision on this one.

“Bryant McKinnie spit in the face of the Pro Bowl, and the NFL whiffed on sanctioning him,” he concluded.

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(min.scout.com)

Pro Bowl dodger Bryant McKinnie will pay for skipping the Pro Bowl, but he won't pay that much.

Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Vikings left tackle won't receive his $22,500 Pro Bowl check and he'll reimburse the league $4,285.13 for expenses after being dismissed from the NFC squad.

We already knew McKinnie wasn't getting the check, so Friday's announcement was essentially good news for him.  He won't lose any money out of pocket except the expenses, unless the team fines him.  (And we agree with Florio; McKinnie is unlikely to be cut with Brett Favre undecided about his future.)

Also of note: The NFL's Competition Committee will review the matter for the future.  Look for a formal policy regarding Pro Bowl truancy to follow.

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie's proCane Rookie Card.



(profootballtalk.com)

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie's proCane Rookie Card.



(hulu.com)

Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie said it was no big deal that he got kicked off the NFC Pro Bowl roster for skipping back-to-back practices.

But apparently it was a big deal to the Vikings.

Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Vikings VP of Player Personnel Rick Spielman criticized McKinnie's attitude toward the Pro Bowl during a question-and-answer session with Vikings fans on Saturday.

"To get an honor to go play in the Pro Bowl is something that's unique, and something that should be cherished," Spielman said. "It's a privilege and honor to go there and play in a game like that, and I know from an organizational standpoint that we were disappointed, as well as a lot of our fans were, on how things turned out."

It's noteworthy that Spielman uses the word "we" and says he's speaking "from an organizational standpoint," suggesting that he's not the only member of the Vikings organization who's disappointed in McKinnie.

The bottom line is that players drop out of the Pro Bowl all the time, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. McKinnie did it the wrong way, and it's not surprising that other members of the Vikings organization are disappointed in him.

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(profootballtalk.com)

A week after being dismissed from the NFC Pro Bowl team because of unexcused absences, Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie offered no apologies and made it known he felt too much was made of the situation.

"I understand I missed it," McKinnie told reporters at the Super Bowl media center Thursday in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. "But they tried to make it seem like it was because [I was] at the [night] club and couldn't get up. No. I had called [agent Drew Rosenhaus] and told Drew I wanted to withdraw."

McKinnie, a first-time Pro Bowl selection, skipped Pro Bowl practices last Friday and Saturday before the NFL kicked him off the team. He said he had taken a cortisone shot in his foot the week before the game but his "body started feeling a certain way." McKinnie, who also claimed he became sick last week, said he consulted with a trainer about the pain but they never got a chance to meet up.

McKinnie raised several eyebrows, however, by using his Twitter account to inform the public of various late-night activities that he was going to attend in the Miami area. "I'm off at the end of the day," McKinnie said. "I had a long season. It was a pretty decent season. You know what I mean? It's all all right."

The NFL is still considering fining Mc-Kinnie for how he conducted himself; McKinnie has found himself in hot water with the NFL before and was suspended for four games to start 2008 after violating the league's personal conduct policy.

"There wasn't anything bad behind it," McKinnie said of his actions this time. "I just feel that they made it more than it really was. It wasn't like I got locked up somewhere and couldn't play in the game because I was in jail. That's how they made it seem. I just didn't know that it was going to be that serious."

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(startribune.com)

Our old friend Kevin Seifert was among the reporters who got a chance to talk to Bryant McKinnie late this afternoon in South Florida and he has posted a very interesting item on his NFC North blog on ESPN.com that clearly shows the Vikings left tackle feels the whole situation involving his dismissal from the Pro Bowl last week was blown out of proportion.

That's interesting because McKinnie's failure to show up at practices -- and for the team picture -- not only got him kicked off the team but also led to criticism from many of his attitude toward the honor he had received. That's not to mention the lack of respect is appeared to show his teammates. But McKinnie, a first-time Pro Bowl selection, had little sympathy for the fact tackles David Diehl and Jason Peters had to play the entire game.

"Anyone who watched the game would know it wasn't like they were going that hard," McKinnie said. "If you watched the game, [the pass rushers] were stopping in front of the quarterback. I'm like, OK ..."

As for the amount of criticism his absence created, McKinnie said:

"I understand I missed it. But they tried to make it seem like it was because you were at the club and couldn't get up. No. I had called [agent Drew Rosenhaus] and told Drew I wanted to withdraw. I had taken a cortisone shot in my foot the week before the game. When you take that shot, it numbs whatever. You don't feel like you're hurt anymore. It was the New Orleans game. You feel like you're good on Wednesday.

"Yes, I did go out. I can go out and still get up the next morning. But my body started feeling a certain way. So I called Drew and I said, 'I don't think I'm going to be able to play anymore,' because my body was hurting. I was trying to push myself to play. It was my first Pro Bowl, it was in Miami, so I got to come back and play at home. [Rosenhaus] got in touch with the trainer. The trainer ended up calling me at 6:30 on Friday.
"I told him over the phone my problems. He said, 'Could you come see me in person?' I said I was 30 minutes away because I was down at the beach. He said he was going to dinner at 7 and I could meet him at 9:30. I said, 'Yeah.' We were going to meet at 9:30. Then he called me and said, 'I'm running late. I'm going to give you another time to meet.'

"So me, in my mind, I already had talked to him, there's no need to go to practice. There's no reason to go to anything else."

McKinnie also now claims he was sick in the hotel at one point and that's why he missed some of the practice time. He said the trainer came to his room on Wednesday and he received medicine.

McKinnie admits there could be have been better communication with trainers and others on the NFC side or that he could have withdrawn from the game earlier, like five of his teammates did. However, McKinnie added: "I don't feel like it needed that much attention on it."

He has yet to talk to Vikings coach Brad Childress about the situation, but did speak with Vikings vice president of legal affairs Kevin Warren. Warren told McKinnie to quit responding to people on Twitter about what happened. But McKinnie wasn't going to apologize about his decision to tweet about heading to clubs.

"I'm off at the end of the day," he said. "I had a long season. It was a pretty decent season. You know what I mean? It's alright."

An NFL spokesman said the league is looking at fining McKinnie but that no decision would come this week. McKinnie has had issues in the past with the NFL, including the 2005 "Love Boat" incident on Lake Minnetonka and he was suspended for the first four games of the 2008 season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after getting in a fight outside a Miami nightclub.

McKinnie clearly doesn't think this latest issue should be mixed with those. "There wasn't anything bad behind it," he said. "I just feel that they made it more than it really was. It wasn't like I got locked up somewhere and couldn't play in the game because I was in jail. That's how they made it seem. I just didn't know that it was going to be that serious."

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(startribune.com)

In the blog he posted after the Pro Bowl, Mark Craig had an interesting item about the negative reaction to Bryant McKinnie and how he handled himself in regards to the NFL all-star game this past weekend.

McKinnie was booted off the NFC roster after missing three of four practices, all but one meeting and even the team photo last week. After using his twitter account to document his partying ways, McKinnie also used twitter to say that he was in the process of pulling out of the game because of injury. However, that did little to help his NFC teammates. The fact is McKinnie was kicked off the roster and it was too late to replace him.

Craig was told that McKinnie became a "running joke" among players on the NFC roster -- something that isn't funny at all in reality. So how is McKinnie taking all of this? Well, it appeared that last night and early this morning he was back to using twitter to express himself.

Among McKinnie's tweets:

-- "What I realize is ppl like negative that's what sells [at] the end of the day."

That was followed by:
-- "HATERS MAKE ME STRONGER SO THANX 4 THE FAVOR! I DON'T BREAK SUCKAS!"
-- "That's My Motto! So Feed me the hate! All yall doing is make me stronger! Don't know what yall Talking bout! THanx 4 getting me followes!"
-- "I'm thankful 4 every1 who voted 4 me from the bottom of my heart!"
-- "I give the LORD PRAISE 4 giving me the strength 2 deal anything that come my way and 4 being by my side! ONLY GOD can JUDGE ME!"

Working under the assumption that these are all McKinnie's thoughts, this is a sad case of him completely not understanding why people might be upset with him. (It also will be interesting to see how commissioner Roger Godell reacts to McKinnie's tweets and also the fact he's regularly tweeting about being in gentlemen's clubs.)

No one is saying they hate him, but the fact is he left his all-star colleagues in a terrible position with his actions and it isn't going to help his cause one bit that he has left a path of tweets that show he was out at all hours of the night in a week he was supposed to at least act like he cared about the Pro Bowl.

That being said I agree the game is silly and probably shouldn't be played, but if that is your feeling then pull out of it in a timely fashion. Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice was among five Vikings players who said they could not go because of injury. They all did it in time so the NFL could easily replace them and they are not having to put up with "haters" saying they did anything wrong.

I asked Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams last Monday if he would play in the Pro Bowl. He said he was going to give it a try but by Tuesday had decided he couldn't do it because of a knee issue. No one ripped Williams for realizing he did not feel well enough to play.

If nothing else, McKinnie put his Vikings teammates who did play in this game in a very uncomfortable spot. That's especially true for guard Steve Hutcihnson, who Mark Craig has reported needs shoulder surgery. As a guy who plays beside McKinnie during the season, there were probably plenty of players who asked Hutchinson what the heck was going on.

And how about the Giants' Dave Diehl and Philadelphia's Jason Peters having to play the entire game at the tackle spots because McKinnie left his team so shorthanded?

Perhaps those two have a right to be "haters."

McKinnie has had problems in the past with the NFL and is likely to be fined again for this latest stunt. I've covered him since 2005 and can tell you that I don't think he's a bad guy by any means. Much of the time he is pretty quiet around the media but there have been instances where he has opened up and been pretty engaging. Anyone who follows him on Twitter knows he has interests that go beyond partying and playing football. He often writes about his business ventures and interest in music.

The sad thing is I think it has become debatable as to whether McKinnie will ever "get it."  He has been given a world of talent to play a sport that doesn't have a long career span. If McKinnie ever just put all his focus on football, he could be one of the NFL's elite left tackles. But between the 2005 Love Boat incident, the fight outside a Miami night club in 2008 and this latest incident it appears a long shot that McKinnie's focus ever will be solely on the NFL.

And that's a shame.

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(startribune.com)

MIAMI GARDENS — The NFL on Sunday was reportedly looking into the possibility of further discipline against Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who was dismissed from the Pro Bowl on Saturday for missed practices.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail that McKinnie's actions would "be reviewed for a possible fine in addition to his loss of Pro Bowl check."

Aiello also said a suspension was not being contemplated, he did not rule it out as "we have not completed our review."

McKinnie's absence forced David Diehl of the Giants and Jason Peters of the Eagles to play the entire game, and Diehl wasn't happy about it.
"I can't speak for him, but I know a lot of guys are upset, and some of the guys on the Vikings are upset," Diehl said. "You're out here for the guys next to you.

"I think it's an honor to come here and be selected by your peers. This is a game with a lot of tradition and history. To be here and be part of this is a dream for me."

McKinnie, a graduate of Miami who spends his off-seasons in South Florida, wrote on his Twitter account early in the week that he planned to make the most of the social opportunities available. Thursday night he attended a swimwear fashion show featuring NFL cheerleaders.

McKinnie, 30, attended practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a no-show Friday and Saturday. He was dropped from the NFC roster on Saturday.

"I don't know what it was about," Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said. "I don't know if he was hurt or what."

Peters also downplayed McKinnie's absence.

"It wasn't any big deal," he said. "Everybody's got their own situation, and I didn't know what the deal was with him. I guess they just kicked him off.

"In a way it was disappointing," he added. "He could've just let somebody else come."

McKinnie, a 6-foot-8, 343-pounder, was the Vikings' first-round pick in 2002 after winning the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's top college lineman, in the previous season.

He has had off-the-field problems before. In October 2005, he was charged with a misdemeanor for his involvement in the Vikings' "Love Boat" scandal, when numerous Minnesota players were accused of sexual improprieties during a cruise on Lake Minnetonka, Minn.

After pleading guilty, he paid a $1,000 fine and was ordered to perform 48 hours of community service. Later he was fined one game check by the NFL for the incident, amounting to $48,000.

One day after the fine, McKinnie signed a seven-year contract extension with the Vikings worth approximately $48 million.

After being booted off the NFC roster, McKinnie released a statement through his publicist claiming he withdrew from the game because of injury.

"I am extremely honored to have been selected for this year's Pro Bowl," the statement read. "However, my ongoing injuries in my feet and left ankle that I have encountered during the last portion of the season has hindered me during this week's training and preparing myself both mentally and physically for this Sunday's Pro Bowl.

"I am very knowledgeable and appreciative of all my loyal fans and supporters and would like to apologize if I may have disappointed you in anyway, but getting back 100 percent healthy is my number one concern to perform even better in the upcoming season."

"Whatever he said, I believe him," Peterson said.

This was the first time McKinnie had been named to the Pro Bowl in his eight-year career.

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(palmbeachpost.com)

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie has gone into damage-control mode after being kicked off the NFC Pro Bowl squad.

"Had to withdraw from Pro Bowl!" McKinnie tweeted Saturday afternoon.  "I've been playing thru pain the last month and need time 2 let my body heal."

This begs the question: Why did he accept the invitation in the first place? Plenty of McKinnie's banged-up teammates declined the opportunity to go to Miami.

"Been having some problems with my feet and ankle and I gotta give it a break," McKinnie replied minutes later to a question on Twitter.  "I had a long season + my body is hurting."

Perhaps most interestingly, McKinnie then gets into it with Willis McGahee on Twitter.  McGahee, his former college teammate, tweeted to McKinnie that his explanation was "b*ll sh*t."

We don't doubt that McKinnie is sore after an 18-game season.  But he is obviously not sore enough to stop clubbing, and clearly did not inform Pro Bowl coaches that he was injured.  Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that McKinnie did not withdraw from the Pro Bowl on his own.  He was dismissed.  So McKinnie isn't too banged up to lie, either.

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(startribune.com)

7. Bryant McKinnie, Miami McKinnie played only two seasons at Miami (Fla.) after transferring from a junior college. But McKinnie made a lasting impression at one of the sport's most underrated positions. The 6-foot-9, 330-pound left tackle never allowed a sack during his two-year college career. As a senior, he helped the Hurricanes win the 2001 national championship, beating Nebraska 37-14 in the 2002 Rose Bowl. McKinnie won the 2001 Outland Trophy as the country's best interior lineman and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. (He even received 26 first-place votes.)

To see the rest of the list click here.

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(espn.com)

The NFL 2010 Pro Bowlers were announced with 11 proCanes named on the AFC and NFC rosters.

AFC:
- Andre Johnson - WR - Houston Texans - Starter
- Brandon Meriweather - S - New England Patriots - Starter
- Reggie Wayne - WR - Indianapolis Colts - Starter
- Vince Wilfork - DL - New England Patriots
- Ray Lewis - MLB - Baltimore Ravens - Starter
- Ed Reed - S - Baltimore Ravens - Starter
- DJ Williams - OLB - Denver Broncos - Alternate

NFC:
- Bryant McKinnie - OL - Minnesota Vikings - Starter
- Jonathan Vilma - MLB - New Orleans Saints
- Antrel Rolle - S - Arizona Cardinals - Starter
- Frank Gore - RB - San Francisco 49ers - Starter

*Updated 1/25/10

Bryant McKinnie took a longer route than most players to an NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings.

After his high school career at Woodbury in South Jersey, McKinnie played 2 years at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton. While at Lackawanna, he bulked up by 70 pounds and attracted attention from major colleges.

From Lackawanna, he earned a scholarship to the University of Miami, where after a redshirt year in 1999, he started at offensive left tackle for 2 years.

During his Hurricanes career, McKinnie did not allow a sack and was named All-America both years. As a senior in 2001, he won the Outland Trophy, given to the best lineman in college football, and finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch won the Heisman that year.

"I knew I wanted to attend college since I was a kid; education was one of the things that I knew was extremely essential in my life and completing college was something I wanted to accomplish," McKinnie wrote on his blog. "Years later I can now say I am a proud graduate of University of Miami. I want aspiring athletes or anyone to know that education is beyond invaluable."

McKinnie, 30, is 6-8, 335 pounds. His nickname is Big Mac. He was drafted seventh overall by the Vikings. His entire 8-year career has been spent in Minnesota. He has started 115 of 116 games. He was selected for this year's Pro Bowl, his first.

If his Vikings beat the Saints in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, he will not play in the Pro Bowl because he will be in his first Super Bowl, in Miami. That would be an appropriate homecoming.

"It would mean a lot, feeling like going back to where you went to college and you get the chance to play in front of a lot of friends and family back in Miami for the Super Bowl," McKinnie wrote on his blog this week. *

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(philly.com)

Bryant McKinnie heard the tone of the talk all last week. He understood there was a perception from the outside that he might struggle against Dallas pass-rushing defenders like DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.

McKinnie’s performance Sunday in a 34-3 win against the Cowboys allowed him to stand tall – with him that’s really tall – after the game.

“I just felt like there was a lot more talk about me being careful of Ware and he was going to be the person that changed the game – him and Spencer,” McKinnie said. “Being in college, that’s how I got drafted, being an underdog, so being an underdog isn’t new to me. I don’t fold under pressure so I was good.”

He didn’t Sunday. Ware and Spencer, the Cowboys’ two outside linebackers who are often brought on blitzes, each had one sack. Ware’s sack came when he went unblocked from the right side of the Vikings offense.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said that was a miscommunication on the line, but Childress also used the buildup of the Cowboys in the national media to his advantage.

“The Tasmanian Devils … were coming from Dallas that were about to bombard the state of Minnesota and run through us like Sherman through the South,” Childress said. “That was the aura that was left after last weekend’s games. All of us kind of felt that quite palpably. All of it, and then we had about enough of it come Tuesday, they did a great job with that. It’s hard to get guys like this to stifle themselves.”

McKinnie especially was under the spotlight after he struggled against another premier pass-rushing defender in Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers in December.

“Both lines, offense and defense, felt like it was going to be won in the trenches. Everybody talked about their O-line and D-line and how it was a mismatch almost,” McKinnie said. “I feel like people took offense to that and went out there and played at a high level.”

McKinnie said he was trying to alter his stance in the Carolina game and decided to forget about making changes for now and just block how he’s most comfortable.

He also said he came into Sunday’s contest with a game plan for blocking Ware, who was lined up across from McKinnie most of the time.

“I had already played the game mentally in my head a few times and some of the moves that he likes to do. Just to be able to react fast and just to visualize yourself doing it already.”

Loadholt, a rookie second-round pick playing right tackle, said it was easy to focus on this game with it being the postseason.

“It was for something. Obviously every game means a lot, but with the playoffs, just like every other level – whether it be high school, everything – playoffs mean a little bit more to everybody,” Loadholt said. “A little harder, a little faster, a little more physical.”

That basically described the play of the Vikings linemen, as they earned another chance in the NFC Championship Game.

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(min.scout.com)

No pregame matchup was more analyzed than the one between Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie. Conventional wisdom among the league’s talking heads was that McKinnie had no answer for the 6-foot-4, 260-pound rush specialist.

But Ware finished with one sack, getting to Brett Favre for a nine-yard loss when he broke around the left end unblocked.

Afterward, McKinnie admitted he was tired of hearing about Ware.

“You know I was. Even when you tried to avoid the news, somebody would call you, or it would be on Twitter,” he said. “You’re trying to avoid it, but people are still trying to bring it to your attention. It just made me focus and buckle down even more.

“I watched them when they played Philly those two times, and I saw some of the stuff he likes to do. I just studied and tried to execute the plan I had.”

It worked. Ware finished with a solid eight tackles, but he didn’t supply the consistent pressure that was expected to give Favre fits.

“(The media), the guys on ESPN, the announcers, they basically just had us counted out, that we couldn’t keep up with Dallas’ front seven, and I just felt like they didn’t even give us a chance,” McKinnie said. “People kind of took it personally a little, just to prove that we were capable of doing it. They said we weren’t playing at the same level we were at at midseason.”

McKinnie was modest in his postgame assessment, but many of his teammates allowed themselves to gloat after hammering a team many experts had picked to win.

“It’s the playoffs. You’ve got to show up, and we showed up,” guard Anthony Herrera said. “All week long the talk was about how Dallas was going to get to Favre with the pass rush and the Vikings better look out. Well, we did what we were supposed to do. And we’re moving on.”

Even normally stoic coach Brad Childress acknowledged feeling slighted, saying the Cowboys were “about to bombard the State of Minnesota and run through us like Sherman through the South. That was the aura that was left after last weekend’s (wild-card) games.

“All of us kind of felt that quite palpably. All of it, and then we’d had about enough of it by Tuesday.”

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(dallasnews.com)

One way or another, Bryant McKinnie's eighth NFL season is going to end in Miami, his adopted hometown.

The Woodbury High School graduate and Minnesota Vikings left tackle was selected to his first Pro Bowl, which will be held in McKinnie's offseason home of Miami. McKinnie played his last two college seasons at the University of Miami, winning the Outland Trophy and a national title his senior year.

"It will be nice to play in Miami, I'll have a lot of family and friends there," said McKinnie. "It will be nice to be part of the only Pro Bowl in Miami."

The Super Bowl will also be held in Miami this season, with the NFL experimenting with holding the Pro Bowl at the Super Bowl site on the off week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. The game had been played in Hawaii the week after the Super Bowl.

Players on teams participating in the Super Bowl will not play in the Pro Bowl, so McKinnie's preference would be to play in the game on Feb. 7 and not the one on Jan. 31.

While McKinnie has been to the playoffs on two previous occasions, he feels this is his best chance to reach the Super Bowl. The second-seeded Vikings face the third-seeded Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in an NFC divisional playoff game at 1 p.m.

Minnesota earned a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed when the Eagles lost to the Cowboys the last week of the regular season. Dallas then beat the Eagles again in the playoffs to earn the matchup with the Vikings.

"I'm getting calls from a lot of Eagles fans who want us to beat the Cowboys for them," said McKinnie. "I have a better feeling this year, because I feel I'm part of a better team than any I've been on in the past.

"We have the experience you need in a playoff game. We definitely used the bye, because a lot of guys in the O-line were banged up and we needed the week of rest."

Part of the Vikings' experience comes from 40-year-old Brett Favre, the latest in a revolving door of quarterbacks in Minnesota but certainly the most accomplished of the group. Favre came out of retirement midway through training camp and wound up having one of the best seasons of a Hall of Fame career.

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(nj.com)

The last time Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie faced an elite pass rusher, things didn't end well for Brett Favre and the Vikings.

Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers so thoroughly dominated McKinnie on Dec. 20 that he was benched for the second half of the loss.

McKinnie still ended up making his first Pro Bowl this season. And if the Vikings are to advance to the NFC championship game, they will need McKinnie to play like it against Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

Ware has 11 sacks this season and is one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. When the Cowboys come to the Metrodome on Sunday for their NFC divisional playoff game against the Vikings, he'll have his sights set on Favre and running back Adrian Peterson.

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(dallasnews.com)

Bryant McKinnie wasn’t surprised by the line of questioning. The last time he faced a motivated, Pro Bowl edge rusher, things didn’t go too well.

On Dec. 20 against the Carolina Panthers, Vikings coaches pulled McKinnie in the second half after the left tackle struggled against defensive end Julius Peppers. McKinnie, who ended up making the Pro Bowl for the first time in his eight-year career, surrendered a sack, had a holding call and a false-start penalty before being replaced by Artis Hicks.

“Wow, I had one game and I didn’t do good,” McKinnie said. “Really if you look at the film, he got a sack on me. Other than that, I got a holding call that … not really sure if that was holding. Then I had an offsides and that was basically because our center didn’t hear the cadence and me and (right tackle Phil Loadholt) took off, so it made it look like I was all panicky about (Peppers), but I wasn’t.”

McKinnie and the Vikings returned to the Winter Park practice facility Sunday to begin preparations for the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs. For McKinnie, that means he will be seeing Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who led the Cowboys with 11 sacks in the regular season, a good amount.

McKinnie said he will likely be responsible for right defensive end Igor Olshansky, but Ware is often brought on blitzes. Linebacker Anthony Spencer can also move over to McKinnie’s side of the field. During Saturday’s wild card game against the Eagles, Ware had two sacks, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble, and Spencer had a sack and two tackles for a loss.

“The thing to realize is that he (Ware) has the capability to rush from both sides, and he does,” Vikings coach Brad Childress said. “I know he’s listed as the guy that stands on the left side of the offense, right side of the defense, but he shows up a good bit over on the other side, and then he and Spencer will show up together from time to time. So where you have an opportunity to help, you’re going to help, and if he’s not there, you may or may not help.”

Helping McKinnie was an issue in the Carolina game, and coaches took some responsibility for not doing that often enough.

Despite his struggles against Peppers, McKinnie said if he had to play general manager of a team and choose between the Peppers and Ware, he’d choose the latter since he is younger.

But the timing of McKinnie going against Peppers also had something to do with his performance. The game before Carolina, the Vikings faced the Cincinnati Bengals. During the Westwood One radio broadcast of the Bengals game, former Pro Bowl tackle Tony Boselli said that Bengals defenders picked up on a “tell” in McKinnie’s stance that helped them diagnose a run or a pass before the snap of the ball. Clearly, the dissemination of that information affected McKinnie.

Days after that game, McKinnie said he knew he had a “tell,” but he wasn’t aware other teams had picked up on it. He was determined to change his stance, but after his struggles with Peppers he has decided to go back to a more comfortable stance.

“I was trying to do something and it didn’t work,” McKinnie said. “I know not to do it no more, just adjusting my feet and all that stuff. So what if they know if it’s a run or pass? Instead of putting myself in an uncomfortable stance, just let them play.”

And there is another advantage McKinnie sees this Sunday. He is playing in front of the home crowd and doesn’t have to worry about crowd noise as much when the Vikings are on offense.

“There’s a difference, too, when you’re home and away. That makes a big difference,” he said. “It’ll be a different feel because I’ll actually be able to hear and then all that other stuff that I was doing before …”

Well, he can block it out and focus on playing up to his newfound Pro Bowl standing.

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(min.scout.com)

Bryant McKinnie was enjoying his day off Tuesday when he received a call on his cell phone from coach Brad Childress. Like everyone these days, McKinnie checked the caller ID on the phone, saw it was the boss and immediately gave thought to sending the call into voicemail.

"I didn't even know why he was calling," McKinnie said. "I don't want to say I had forgotten about it, but I wasn't even thinking about it at the time. So I'm looking at the phone, debating like, 'Hmmm. Should I let it go to voicemail?' So I said, 'Let me answer the phone.'"

That turned out to be a good move. Childress simply wanted to tell his big left tackle that he was one of eight Vikings picked to the NFC Pro Bowl roster and one of five who would start in the game. The Pro Bowl berth is the first of McKinnie's eight-year career and considering he was pulled in the second half two games ago in Carolina there were some surprised that he made it at all. The fact the Vikings have lost three of their past four doesn't help matters.

McKinnie was one of many Vikings who led the NFL at his position in the fan voting but that wasn't enough to get him in the game. The fan vote counts one-third toward determining the roster, with players and coaches also getting a say in the process.

So how did they land on McKinnie and Philadelphia's Jason Peters as the starters with New Orleans' Jon Stinchcomb as the backup? (McKinnie and Peters are left tackles and Stinchcomb is a right tackle.)

Last season, the tackles on the NFC Pro Bowl team were Seattle's Walter Jones, Carolina's Jordan Gross, Washington's Chris Samuels, Dallas' Flozell Adams and New Orleans' Jammal Brown. Jones and Samuels pulled out of the game and were replaced by Adams and Brown.

Right now, Jones (knee), Gross (broken ankle), Samuels (neck) and Brown (hip, sports hernia) are all on injured reserve. Jones is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and among the NFL's most respected offensive linemen. What this meant is that  players and coaches had to begin identifying new offensive tackles to pick and the pattern is that left tackles usually get the most attention because they are ordinarily the guys who are paid big bucks to protect the quarterback's blindside.

Peters wasn't that tough of choice because he had been a Pro Bowl selection during his days with the Buffalo Bills. But that only filled one spot. I started covering the Vikings in 2005 and McKinnie probably had the best season I've seen him have that year. However, he is definitely a recognizable name and he rarely misses playing time -- save for the four-game suspension to start 2008 -- so that had to help.

A guy like Green Bay's Chad Clifton could have gotten consideration if he hadn't missed time because of injuries. 

McKinnie hasn't talked very much about the ankle injury he suffered on Dec. 6 at Arizona but on Wednesday he admitted he is still trying to get himself right.

"I'm doing everything I can to get refreshed because I know once the playoffs start it's like a whole 'nother season 'bout to start," he said. "And the intensity is going to be real high, so you have to be at the best that you can possibly be. So I've been doing everything. I sat in the hot tub yesterday. I got a massage yesterday. I got in the cold tub two times this week. I'm just trying to do everything I can to put myself in position so I can play fast and physical."

And at a Pro Bowl level.

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(startribune.com)

The NFL 2009 Pro Bowlers were announced with 9 proCanes named on the AFC and NFC rosters.

AFC:
- Andre Johnson - WR - Houston Texans - Starter
- Reggie Wayne - WR - Indianapolis Colts - Starter
- Vince Wilfork - DL - New England Patriots
- Ray Lewis - MLB - Baltimore Ravens - Starter
- Ed Reed - S - Baltimore Ravens - Starter
- DJ Williams - OLB - Denver Broncos - Alternate

NFC:
- Bryant McKinnie - OL - Minnesota Vikings - Starter
- Jonathan Vilma - MLB - New Orleans Saints
- Antrel Rolle - S - Arizona Cardinals - Alternate
- Frank Gore - RB - San Francisco 49ers - Alternate*

*Updated 12/31/09 1am

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie talked about his rough performance against Carolina after practice on Wednesday.

McKinnie gave up two sacks, was called for two penalties (false start and holding) and a difficult time blocking Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers. The coaching staff finally benched McKinnie in the third quarter, replacing him with veteran Artis Hicks.

“When I watched the film, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was, as far as going against Peppers,” McKinnie said. “I felt like people probably made it seem like more than what it was. When I finally saw the film, I saw that he got a sack. And I think what threw me out of my game is that when I tried to jump the snap count one time and the ball didn’t get snapped and I got a false start. And then they called me for holding, so it took me away from something else that I normally do, something that I tend to do when I’m pass setting.

“But other than that, it was OK. It wasn’t my best game, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. They made it seem like he was back there every play and that wasn’t the case. But I definitely need a better game this week. It looked like I got out of whack with my techniques. I’ve been focusing a little more on my technique.”

McKinnie admitted that the penalties affected his play. He was asked if it was a good thing that he was taken out of the game.

“I think I would have rather stayed because it wasn’t really much of a difference,” he said. “I would have probably preferred to stay, I guess. I think they just thought that mentally I was a little confused, like I didn’t know what was going on actually. I was trying to figure out what I needed to do. When I watched the film, I had an idea during the game. The two penalties, it just makes you not as aggressive because you’re trying to eliminate some things to avoid penalties. It kind of took me out of my game plan.”

McKinnie said he’s talked to different coaches about the situation, including Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

“We basically just moved on,” he said. “Just to make sure that mentally, that’s not me mentally. Just because I had a bad game, don’t feel like I’m going to carry that with me. Put it in my rear view. I’m looking to prepare for the future. I’m not worried about that anymore because I can’t do nothing about it. I can’t bring it back.”

Childress acknowledged on Monday that the coaching staff should have given McKinnie more help on Peppers.

“Usually on the road, no matter who the tackle is and if you have a premier pass rusher, they usually get help,” he said. “I didn’t get any, but that’s not to blame. Still at the end of the day I’ve got to do what I have to do … You’ve got to be comfortable and I don’t think I was comfortable with a lot of stuff that I was doing. I feel like the penalties and stuff were kind of throwing me out of whack because then I started concentrating on not getting penalties. I was kind of behind sometimes on the snap count.”

McKinnie later admitted it was one of the roughest outings of his career.

“It’s up there in the top two,” he said. “I had another one about six years ago.”

“I have to be on point, basically,” he added. “Some people, when they come to play me, they don’t bring their A game. So I have to make sure I bring mine when go against a premier [pass rusher] and stay calm. I’m a relaxed player. I don’t get all excited and all that. I’m just like an even, level player. I have to stay that way during the course of a game. Once I get out of my box or whatever and start doing too much thinking then things are going to start going the wrong direction.”

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(startribune.com)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Even the biggest and strongest of players can be rendered ineffective when the brain and the body are not in sync.

They don't come much bigger and stronger than Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who was reminded of that last week. After making a push for his first Pro Bowl bid in the first 13 games of the season, McKinnie played so poorly against Julius Peppers and the Carolina Panthers that he was benched in the fourth quarter, the first time that happened in his eight-year career.

The 6-foot-8, 335-pounder charged with protecting Brett Favre's blind side is trying to get back on track. The Vikings (11-3) need him too, coming off two ugly losses in their past three games that have shaken their once-firm hold on the NFC's No. 2 seed -- and first-round bye -- for the playoffs. Minnesota plays at Chicago (5-9) on Monday night.

McKinnie, a former first-round draft pick, insisted this week his performance against the Panthers wasn't as poor as it was made out to be.

"He played a good game. He made a good play on me," McKinnie said, referring to the one sack Peppers was credited with. "But when you go back and really watch the film, he didn't have that many plays on me."

Two penalties, for a false start in the first quarter and for holding in the third quarter, threw McKinnie's mind out of whack. He also said he was focusing too much on his footwork, worried his stance might be tipping off the defense to what type of play was coming -- as one report suggested earlier this month.

"It was entirely too much thinking going on," said McKinnie, who joined the starting lineup midway through his rookie season in 2002. He has missed only four games since then -- at the beginning of last year because of a league suspension for off-field behavior.

This week, McKinnie has been working on fine-tuning his technique. He also said there's a plan in place to adjust the snap count in order to make it easier for him and rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt.

"That will put me in a better position to get off the ball," McKinnie said. "I just have to make it where I don't have to look at the ball. When I'm in a position to hear it, I don't want to have to look at the ball if I can hear the cadence."
Coach Brad Childress took some of the blame for not giving McKinnie more help, either by putting a tight end to McKinnie's side for a double team or using a running back to help chip Peppers more often.

"We didn't do a good enough job with getting him help, whether it was chip help or tight end help or fading a guard in that direction," Childress said.

Still, that's no excuse for a player who sees himself as one of the best at his position.

"Usually on the road, no matter who the tackle is and if you have a premier pass rusher, they usually get help," McKinnie said. "I didn't get any, but that's not to blame. Still, at the end of the day I've got to do what I have to do, you've got to be comfortable and I don't think I was comfortable with a lot of stuff that I was doing.

"I feel like the penalties and stuff were kind of throwing me out of whack because then I started concentrating on not getting penalties. I was kind of behind sometimes on the snap count."

McKinnie wasn't the only lineman who struggled in Carolina. Favre was sacked four times and Adrian Peterson rushed for 35 yards on 12 carries in the 26-7 defeat.

Favre said it was more of a case of Peppers playing well than McKinnie playing poorly. Either way, the veteran quarterback warned, McKinnie and the rest of the offensive line have to be ready to get the best from their opponents from here on out.

"A lot is being made of Bryant was getting beat here. I love our guys up front. Peppers gets paid a lot of money for a reason," Favre said. "He showed it. ... To think that we're going to get anything less than what we got the other night in every game we play is stupid. We're going to get the best from everyone, so we'd better be ready for it."

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

Bryant McKinnie described his struggles Sunday night as a "bad day," but Vikings coach Brad Childress said the coaching staff should have given the left tackle more help.

McKinnie gave up two sacks and had all kinds of problems containing Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers in a 26-7 loss.

Peppers, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, finished with one sack and three quarterbacks hurries and was around quarterback Brett Favre all game.

In hindsight, Childress said the team should have given McKinnie more help.

"Yes, that's me," Childress said. "I'll take that. We didn't do a good enough job with getting him help, whether it was chip help or tight end help or fading a guard that direction. We actually had it set up that way a couple of times but it didn't occur and it should have occurred. But then a lot of it was just a 1-on-1 type of operation. [Peppers] is a good player."

Childress replaced McKinnie with veteran Artis Hicks in the third quarter.

Asked about McKinnie's reaction, Childress said: "I didn't really take time to take a poll on that. Some of the things you do, you're doing by your feel and your gut. It won't change anything going forward."

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.



(startribune.com)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a game in which many Vikings had a bad day at the office, Bryant McKinnie might have had one of the worst.

The left tackle's struggles in the Vikings' 26-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night at Bank of America Stadium earned him a place on the bench in the third quarter. He was replaced by versatile veteran Artis Hicks.

"Just had a bad day," McKinnie said. "It's pretty disappointing, because there is nothing you can do about it. You're just having a really off day."

Said coach Brad Childress: "You could say that about a bad day at the office for all of us."

McKinnie injured his ankle two weeks ago in the Vikings' loss at Arizona, but did not blame any health issues for his struggles.

McKinnie gave up a sack of quarterback Brett Favre in the first quarter, when rookie defensive end Everette Brown beat him.

McKinnie also gave up a sack to defensive end Julius Peppers. Some believed McKinnie was playing at a Pro Bowl level this season, but that was not the case Sunday.

McKinnie did not express any anger with the decision.

"I felt like if somebody else could go in there and help the team, that would be better instead of me just going out there and having a bad day," he said.

Asked if he could put his finger on what went wrong, he said: "I have an idea of what I can do to fix it. I'm going to make sure I get it fixed this week."

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.



(startribune.com)

A poker player with a tell is an easy target for opponents. So too are offensive lineman.

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie(notes) was evidently tipping his team's play selection on Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL-great-turned-analyst Tony Boselli, who mentioned it on Westwood One's radio broadcast of the game.

Dan Patrick recounted Boselli's observation on his radio show earlier in the week (quote courtesy Vikings Now):
"Boselli points out that (left tackle) Bryant McKinnie of the Vikings, he said that the Cardinals know when they're going to pass because of his leg. He would have one of his legs back a little bit further. ... He said they know what's going to happen because they're looking at his feet and they can tell when it's a run and when it's a pass."
I'm skeptical. I don't doubt that McKinnie has a tell, but I think it's a total stretch to credit the Cardinals' victory to the manner in which he lines up.

First of all, the defense has its play called well before the Vikings get to the line of scrimmage. They could theoretically audible once McKinnie gets set, but is there really enough time?

Another hole in the tale of "tell as doom": How many Arizona players can realistically see the position of the left tackle's foot in the five seconds the Vikings are lined up for the snap? Five, tops? The two guys on the other side of the defensive line wouldn't be able to see and neither would any linebacker, corner or safety on that side of the field. There's a clear advantage in a defensive end going up against McKinnie to know that information, but that's far different from the entire Cards defense.

The biggest question I have is how much of an advantage it even is to know what's coming. A good defensive coordinator should be guessing correctly in terms of pass or run, what, 75 percent of the time? The Vikings play calls aren't exactly rocket science. They tend to run Peterson on first and second down to set up deep Favre passes. When the Cards took the deep ball away by dropping back eight defenders, Favre got flustered and tried to work the ol' gunslinger magic by forcing the ball into spots. It's hard to believe that playing so many guys in coverage was because McKinnie was leaning back a bit.

Joe Bugel, the famed Washington Redskins offensive line coach, is fond of saying that a good offense could tell the defense what's coming on every play and still be able to execute. That's what the game is about, execution.
If Bryant McKinnie is tipping the plays, he needs to correct this immediately. But if he did, on Sunday night at least, the Vikings had much bigger problems than that.

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.



(sports.yahoo.com)

Minnesota Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie (back) was limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 3, but is likely to play in Week 13.

McKinnie told proCanes.com “I’m doing good” so expect him to play on Sunday.

Click here to Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.



(fantasysp.com)

We would like to thank MKRob for bringing these pictures to our attention. Check out the MKRob’s sports blog here.

Bryant McKinnie is hard to miss on the football field. Inconspicuous doesn't generally apply when you're 6-8, weigh 335 pounds and wear a size 18 shoe.

But sometimes, when members of the Vikings offense are watching film, it's impossible for them to ignore the damage inflicted by their gigantic left tackle, Big Mac.

"It's rare when you see an offensive lineman just use one arm and literally rag-doll people out of the screen with one throw," right guard Anthony Herrera said.

"When he gets his hands on somebody, he can reject him," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "It's like he's throwing somebody out of the bar. Gone. That guy flies off the film, the guy's on his back. We'd like to see that every single play."

That, of course, has always been the knock on McKinnie, the No. 7 pick in the 2002 NFL draft. He's long possessed the talent to become an elite left tackle, but inconsistency and off-the-field issues have prevented him from realizing his potential.

That might be changing.

At age 30 and in his eighth season, McKinnie said he's playing arguably the best football of his career. He's in better shape after incorporating different offseason training methods, including yoga, racquetball and tennis. Yes, hard to picture but true.

He said he's also in a good place mentally after enduring some embarrassing incidents in recent years, including the infamous Love Boat scandal and his arrest after a fight outside a Miami nightclub that resulted in a four-game suspension at the start of last season.

McKinnie, who received a seven-year, $48.5 million contract extension in 2006, said he made some changes in his life and that he wants to be recognized for his performance on the field. Specifically, he wants to make it to the Pro Bowl and thinks he's playing at a level worthy of that distinction this season.



(startribune.com)

Bryant Mckinnie is the boss of all bosses. He goes to work everyday just like the rest of us. He endures the blood, sweat & tears to become the next best thing; on & off the field. When he's not on the field protecting future hall of famer Brett Favre, he's scouting talent. No, not athletic talent, but those individuals who desire to make it big in the dog eat dog world of entertainment.

As Co-Ceo of Swagga Entertainment, Mr. Mckinnie works twice as hard to ensure that Swagga Ent. puts out only quality products. With Pleasure P as one of the feature artists on the label, they're well within reach of making the label as household name. We recently caught up with Bryant to discuss the label & what heights he believes it will reach in the near future.

*interview was conducted after the Vikings/Pittsburgh game*

BA: How are you Mr. Mckinnie? You guys played a good game, although it resulted in a loss.
BM: I'm pretty good. Yea, it was a pretty good game, it was back & forth.

BA: Well at least you guys are still at the top of your division unlike my Redskins, who are at the bottom of the barrel.
BM: (laughs). Yea, we are. What's the Redskins record?

BA: (laughs) Its not even worth mentioning, so we won't go there. So, lets get back to Swagga Entertainment business, how'd you link up with Pleasure P?
BM: Pleasure P aka Marcus Cooper, we met in Miami. We had a mutual friend that promoted parties & Marcus came to my house for a barbecue & we became friends; started hanging out. I remember we were in the car one day, playing some music & there was a potential artist I wanted to work with & I was talking about how I wanted to start a label. He was telling me had the same goals & everything, & he said we should do this together, we continued to talk about it & he already had the name Swagga Entertainment, so we just went from there.

BA: Ok. What's it like working with him?
BM: Forreal, its ok. He's really busy. You know he's touring, working on albums. He's on his 2nd tour with R. Kelly. He's actually signed to the label. So right now, I'm actually doing a alot of the foot work, because you know he's still an artist. Outside of that, its cool working with him. We help each other out on a lot of things.

BA: I see you're stepping it up in the partnership, always good to see people working together to achieve one common goal. Now, since you're a fan of music, what type of music are you into?
BM: I listen to A LOT of different people. I mean Stevie Wonder, you know when you were young when your mom used to clean the house & cut on the radio while cleaning. She used to have me listening to a variety of different music. Then going away to college, hanging with an eclectic group of people they put me on to different types of music as well, so I'm versatile. I'm not just into hip-hop, I listen to The Dave Matthews Band, Sublime. I can go in any direction with you.

BA: Undestandable, its a good thing to have an eclectic ear, I'm the same way. Now what separates Swagga Entertainment from other major labels?
BM: Swagga Entertainment was kinda supposed to not only be a hip-hop label. Wehave a rock band & you know rock bands have their own swag. Just because you hear the word Swag, you don't always have to assume its only hip-hop based. Everybody has their own swagger, its really universal, not just focused on hip-hop. We actually have acts focused on pop, rock-n-roll & r &b.

BA: I had the pleasure of speaking with Marcus & he mentioned you guys have a few artists such as Sonny Mason, Al B. Sure, Jr, Pretty Money & Mona Lisa, when can we expect to hear something from these few artists?
BM: We're actually trying to put together a Swagga Entertainment mixtape where we'd have a few songs from the artists, so people can pretty much get an idea of what kind of music we're trying to create & give you samples of what they're working with. From there we'll decide which one we'll push first. They're all in their recording phase right now. With Marcus working on his second album & once its completed & pushed out, they'll pretty much come out behind him.

BA: Pretty Money is associated with Trina as well, how'd you guys link up with them?
BM: Well, Pretty Money used to come to my house to record, so that's how I heard of them. I became a fan & Trina & I have been good friends for a while, I told her about the group, & wondered if she'd be interested in working with them. You know work as a joint venture to help get & put them out there. She's been doing a great job, taking them out & doing shows. Opening up for her & they're going to be on her next album entitled Amazing. We all know one another, so we're just going to work together to achieve one common goal, which is to make good music & get them heard. Trina is trying to start a female rap movement herself, you know there's a shortage of those these days. They're working together to try & bring that back.

BA: You're definitely right about a shortage female MC's. Now, where can upcoming artists & producers send their work to for possible usage?
BM: They can send them swaggaent1@gmail.com

BA: Thanks, I'll be sure to pass that info along. Now, Bryant, within the next few years, where do you see Swagga Entertainment in regards to longevity?
BM: Honestly, it should grow & be one of the top labels in the industry. For the fact we're not solely focused on one genre of music. You have some labels that are strongly focused on hip-hop. I want to focus on other things. You know, rock-n-roll sells. It sells out shows, their fans BUY their music, you know what I mean. Not a whole lot of bootlegging. So I mean, if you pick & choose the right artist, get behind them, push them how they're supposed to & market them right, we'll be around for a while.

BA: Understood, so it sounds like you're the A&R of the label.
BM: You know why, I'm not supposed to, but I always want to hear the music. When someone brings an artist in, I want to hear their product. I want to see them, I wanna see them perform. You know you have some people who say, Yea, I can rap, but can't move a crowd. I want to see you feel it, get in character. I don't want to just see you there holding a mic, if that's the case, I can just listen to your songs. I want to see the energy. I look for an array of things when I'm working with artists. I want to be drawn to them, I wanna be able to feel their music & personality, you know what I mean.

BA: Yeah, you want someone with showmanship. You wanna know you're investing in something of quality.
BM: Exactly.

BA: I definitely applaud you guys vision & where the label is headed. Especially with the industry being as fickle as it is. Everything starts as with a vision, but seeing it into fruition is something totally different. So congratulations on that. I definitely wish you much success, on & off the field of course.
BM: It is & thank you very much.

BA: Now I surely will be checking you out every Sunday. I tell people the Vikings are the team to watch this year, because my team SURELY isn't. I hope you guys can bring a championship to Minnesota.
BM: (laughs) Thanks, I definitely hope so.

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.



(balleralert.com)

proCanes.com had the opportunity yesterday to follow Bryant McKinnie for a few hours while doing an interview to Palmetto Elementary School in Miami. Bryant was greeted with cheers by a large group of students in the Media Center of the school and spent time answering their questions, signing autographs and taking photos.

He walked students through a week in the life of an NFL player, answered questions like: “are you married?”, “what was your worst injury?”, “how is it blocking for Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre?”, “what’s the hardest part of your job?” and many more. Bryant spent almost two hours of his time with the kids and looked to enjoy every minute of it. Check out our exclusive photos below.

Bryant McKinnie flew up to Connecticut Wednesday morning on his off week to go to the ESPN headquarters to film several shows. He kept everyone up-to-date on his whereabouts through his twitter feed. Here are some of his photos.













(twitter.com)

McKinnie tweets: Those r 4 boxes of clothes I'm about 2 ship 2 a kid that's in Jr. College that is my size. Times are hard in college.



McKinnie then tweets: See yall! I'm actually sending the clothes out!





(twitter.com)

You may know him for his towering frame of 6' 8'' and 335 lbs.

You may know him for his dominating play on the football field as a powerful offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings.

You may even know him as an All-American standout from the University of Miami Hurricanes.

But one thing few fans of Bryant McKinnie may not know is that not only does he get his hands dirty on the football field but he has his hands in the music industry as well; being the Co-CEO of Miami-based record label Swagga Ent. with R&B hit maker Pleaure P, formerly of the group Pretty Ricky. Scoop correspondent broadKast got the chance to interview McKinnie via telephone despite his busy schedule to find out more about the Pro Bowler's musical endeavor.

SMAG: How did you and Pleasure P hook up to form the label Swagga Ent.? McKinnie: Well I had known Pleasure P for a few years from events, parties, cookouts and things like that throughout Miami and we had talked about getting together to make a label and since he was already heavy in the game and had experience, it just grew from there. SMAG: You're a big-time football star but where did the ambition to form your own label come from? McKinnie: It was always a dream of mine along with teammates in college like Ed Reed [Baltimore Ravens] and others. We had talked of always getting our own record labels when we made it to the pros and it was actually something we had been working on for quite a while since being at UM. We just continued to work at it and vowed to make it work once we got in the NFL.

SMAG: Describe how you manage your time because as a football player, you've got playbooks and gameplans to memorize and as a music exec you have contracts and record deals to structure. How do you balance it?
McKinnie: Yeah it's really busy. I don't usually have any off time except Mondays or Tuesdays when I handle the music side. Wednesdays through Sunday are pretty much football time from the practices to gameday. But I pretty much balance everything out as best as I can.

SMAG: Talk about some of Swagga Ent. signees in Pretty Money and others. What makes them standout from the competition in music today? McKinnie: Well Pretty Money is different because they're an all female rap group which is something you don't see in the game right now and they're in a joint deal with us here at Swagga Ent. and rapper Trina. We also have a group called Da Fr3shmen and a Haitian-bred rapper by the name of Mona Lisa. So our staff is growing everyday with new talent.

SMAG: What are your predictions for Swagga Ent. as an up and coming label?
McKinnie: We're planning for a big movement in the music biz. We want to be recognized as the next big label such as the Def Jams and labels like that. We're just trying to improve to become the best that's out there with Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, everything from every genre.

With two powerful and influential label heads steering Swagga Ent. in a lucrative, prominent direction and a show-stopping list of artists, it is only a matter of time before Swagga Ent. is atop record business success. For more information on Swagga Ent. and all of their fresh, new acts check out www.myspace.com/swaggaentllc.



(scoopsthemagazine.com)

Does Central Florida have a shot against your 'Canes this weekend?
Bryant McKinnie:  Not at all! haha.

[Comment From marshall f] 
Who is the toughest DE that you have ever played against, along with the reasoning why?
Bryant McKinnie:  KGB from Green Bay because I had to see him twice per year and he was a veteran. He had a lot of moves and I had to prepare myself twice a year to see him. I think he made me a better player, mainly in the pass game.

[Comment From Sam] 
hey big 74, whats playing in your ipod?
Bryant McKinnie:  I have some local Florida rappers...Brisco. I have Jay-Z. I have Trick Daddy and Trina. I have Pleasure P.

[Comment From Matt O] 
Have any friends on the Raven squad?
Bryant McKinnie:  yes I do. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Willis McGahee. And they all are from The U!
Why do you think players from the University of Miami have such a loyal fraternity?

Bryant McKinnie:  Because everyone was so loyal to each other when you were there. It's almost like a brotherhood. And then NFL players always come back to Miami and remind us of that. Plus there's not a lot of loyalty in the NFL, so it's good to stick with each other.

[Comment From Kyle]
What do you think of Jacory Harris?
Bryant McKinnie:  I think he's a pretty good QB. He's playing at a high level right and he's helped them to a 4-1 record.

[Comment From Guest]
how do u manage to handle your record label and football career at the same time?
Bryant McKinnie:  I have people who run the label while i'm gone. therefore, I can concentrate on football. Then when the offseason comes, I'm more hands-on. But on my offdays during the season (Tuesdays), I listen to beats and send them in.

[Comment From Mast]
What running backs did you block for in college?
Bryant McKinnie:  James Jackson, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Jarret Payton and Frank Gore.

[Comment From proCanes.com]
Was it difficult adjusting to Favre as your QB?
Bryant McKinnie:  At the beginning with his snap count it was, but everything is good now and we're used to it.
hey bryant what was the hardest thing you had to pass to be in nfl????

Bryant McKinnie:  Just the work you have to put in. I went to junior college and then the University of Miami. It's hard work...a lot of people just see the games on Sundays, but there's a lot of time you have to put into this career.

Bryant McKinnie:  Hey everyone, I have a record label called Swagga - it's me and R&B artist named Pleasure P. He has an album out called The Introduction of Marcus Cooper. I'm a co-Executive Producer on that album. You can follow both of us on Twitter. His Twitter name is @PleasureP and mine is @BigMacVikings

[Comment From proCanes.com]
You dominated D Freeney in college is he any different to go up against in the pro's?
Bryant McKinnie:  He's gotten better since he's been in the NFL. I guess he's learned a lot here. We just faced each other in preseason but we didn't go one-on-one during the game.

Bryant McKinnie:  Thanks everyone for chatting. It was fun. Remember to follow us, and the Vikings, on Twitter! Go Vikes!



(vikings.com)

Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is a beast of a man at 6-8 and 335 pounds, but he's hoping to become larger than life off the field as well. McKinnie is budding music executive under his label "Swagga Entertainment." He recently answered some questions from the Star Tribune's Michael Rand about that part of his life.

Q What's the essence of Swagga -- why did you put this together?
A I've been interested in the music field for a long time, since I was in college at the University of Miami.

Q Is it just kind of taking off now?
A Yeah, it started a couple of years ago. We're trying to build up a buzz. ... Sidney [Rice] is actually playing one of our songs right now [in the locker room]. When you actually are there when the songs are recorded and you're putting together, and you hear them on the radio, it is fun. I got with Pleasure P a couple of years ago, and his album came out, "The Introduction of Marcus Cooper," on June 9 [this year]. From there it's sold about 100,000 copies.

Q Sounds like you have a good feel for it. Is this something you want to do for a long time?
A Yeah, I grew up around music through being in church. I played piano when I was young and I did a lot of other stuff with music. It's been something I've wanted to do for a while. There's another hip-hop artist, a female rapper named Trina from south Florida. Me, her and Pleasure P are working on a joint venture with a group called Pretty Money. ... I also have a rock band. [The label] is pretty versatile. They're called Another Day. They're based out of Texas.

Q A rock band? You ever talk to Chris Kluwe about that? [The Vikings punter is also in a rock band.]
A Everybody keeps saying that!

Q Sounds like you're really into music. Do you ever think about it when you aren't supposed to, like when you're supposed to be blocking?
A Nah, not on the field [laughs]. I listen before games, though, to get me hyped and motivated. It plays a big role in my life and probably a lot of other people's.

Q Do you guys talk music in the locker room a lot?
A Yeah, we talk about who's new. Guys know I'm in the industry and they ask me a lot about that. ... Sidney is big on music. [Anthony] Herrera asks about music a lot. E.J. Henderson. Pat Williams asks about music a lot.

Q I read you had some big thing in Miami over the summer.
A Yeah, it was something called Miami Standup. It was special to the label. We wanted everyone in the industry to learn about the label. One year we had a bowling event. We had a boat party.

Q Whoa, a boat party. Better watch out!
A [Laughs] My bad! No, not that kind of boat party!

Q Last thing: You're on Twitter all the time. Is that business, pleasure or both?
A Yeah, it's pretty much business. I'm trying to promote the artists I'm working with or myself. I'm just interacting with fans who are helping us with all of this.



(startribune.com)

Many former Canes tweeted their thoughts after the huge 33 - 17 win by the University of Miami over Oklahoma on Saturday night. You can see each players twitter screen name if you want to follow them as well as their comments. Read below to see their thoughts:

rockym52 (Rocky McIntosh): The Canes win also so glad I'm apart of that "U Swag".

QBKILLA (Warren Sapp): Take That Sooner Scooter Back Across the STATE LINE!!!

bigmacvikings (Bryant McKinnie): YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHH! The Canes pulled it out! Phil and A.P. can't say nothing 2 me. im bout 2 text them now.

ericwinston (Eric Winston): So happy for my team and especially Javarris James. He has had an up and down career but that will be a night for him to remember forever

TheLAMARkable36 (Lamar Thomas): Its great to be a miami hurricane! Its great to be a miami hurricane- go canes!

Many former Canes tweeted their thoughts after the huge 33 - 17 win by the University of Miami over Georgia Tech on Thursday night. You can see each players twitter screen name if you want to follow them as well as their comments. Read below to see their thoughts:

rockym52 (Rocky McIntosh): Sorry State of Virginia and Dhall and my neighbors next door..Vtech yall r next!!!!!! we eat hokie sandwiches peanut butter jelly tiime!!!

QBKILLA (Warren Sapp): U SEE MINE C.A.N.E.S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

bigmacvikings (Bryant McKinnie): @paytonsun YES! ME AND SHOCKEY JUST WAS TALKIN BOUT HOW THEY LOOK LIKE THEY GOT THEY SWAGGA BACK!

JeremyShockey (Jeremy Shockey): going to sleep well tonight!!!! great job randy canes look to be back..... j

gregolsen82 (Greg Olsen): Well the canes are back..great performance tonight!

jonbeason (Jon Beason): "a star is born" Jacory Harris CLAP!

bigmacvikings (Bryant McKinnie): OK YALL SEE THOSE CANES! GREAT JOB! J. HARRIS IS PLAYING REALLY WELL.

paytonsun (Jarrett Payton): @bigmacvikings u watching the game? them boys out there actin a fool!!!

Humble83 (Sinorice Moss): Tha "U". I guess the got that swagger back ( Jay-z voice)
about 2

JeremyShockey (Jeremy Shockey): were back!!!! f- yea

bigmacvikings (Bryant McKinnie): @JeremyShockey YUP! THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE THE SWAGGA WE HAD WHEN WE WAS THERE. ITS FUN 2 WATCH AGAIN

rockym52 (Rocky McIntosh): @JackMcClinton Hey ur bball boy Graham scored celebration was awwwwwful though lol

Lance_Hurdle (Lance Hurdle): thas dat hurricane basketball player scorin touchdowns out there...good ish jimbo

DaRealEDGE (Edgerrin James): Its official: LandShark Stadium has turned into a Club.... My son is to young to be @ the club......HaHa!! "The U"...

DaRealEDGE (Edgerrin James): Touchdown JAMES......."U"

DaRealEDGE (Edgerrin James): My son @ the UM game watching his cousin BabyJ#5, and waiting for his turn to play for the 'U'...

EDEN PRAIRIE — Bryant McKinnie gave himself an early 30th birthday present: A haircut.

Since his final season in college at Miami, the McKinnie has worn his hair in braids.

The style actually stemmed from a pact he made with then-teammate Ed Reed to not cut his hair until the Hurricanes lost a game that year.

Well, they won the national championship.

McKinnie kept the look and never cut his hair.

Drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 2002, the 6-foot-8, 335-pound McKinnie has been their starter at left tackle since then. He had those braids until last week's opener, chopping them off in favor of a close-cropped cut. Teammate Pat Williams took him to a barber in Minneapolis.

People occasionally asked him when he was going to cut his hair, and eventually he targeted age 30.

His birthday is next Wednesday.

"I did it a week ahead of time because you've got to train your hair to being low," McKinnie said, laughing.
Reaction, he said, has been positive. His friends and teammates like the look. His helmet felt loose last Sunday at Cleveland, but his head was a lot cooler.

"I'm not sweating as bad as I used to," he said. "I used to just start walking and start sweating. I think it was from my hair. Now I've got to keep stuff on my head because I get cool faster now."

McKinnie has found his share of off-the-field trouble; he served a four-game suspension last season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

He also has become more serious about business interests, including in the music industry, and he switched agents to sign with Drew Rosenhaus as part of that focus.

Add all that up, and the most important force behind his makeover was maturity.

"I'm changing a lot of things in my life, just period, so that was one thing that needed to change," McKinnie said. "To get rid of the braids and stop looking young or thuggish or whatever. I'm trying to take care of business though so I'm going to look the part."

Cornerback Cedric Griffin took the same approach to cutting his braids this spring.

"It's just a point in time where you need to let go of some old things and do some new things in your life," Griffin said.



(sctimes.com)

Many former Canes tweeted their thoughts after the huge 38 - 34 win by the University of Miami over Florida State on Labor Day night. You can see each players twitter screen name if you want to follow them as well as their comments. Read below to see their thoughts:

QBKILLA (Warren Sapp): Jacory Harris For President!!!

TheLAMARkable36 (Lamar Thomas): I told yall!!!!!!!! The canes are back!!!!!!

Humble83 (Sinorice Moss): Let's go canes!!!!!! My Brother Santana Moss said it long time ago! "Big Time Players Make BIg Time Plays In Big Games" Enough said.

D_Hest23 (Devin Hester): Da U is back baby

ericwinston (Eric Winston): That is why there will and always be one U!!! That 4th quarter is what it is all about!!

JackMcClinton (Jack McClinton): somebody have fun for me in the grove tonight in miami! go canes

JackMcClinton (Jack McClinton): jacorry is a pro, im saying it now , save this twit, im not saying right now as in this year, but he is a pro

gregolsen82 (Greg Olsen): THE U IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!...Great win..keep it rolling

QBKILLA (Warren Sapp): This Why U Don't Do FSU!!!

DaRealEDGE (Edgerrin James): The "U" battled 2 the end, brought to you by 'The Andia Wilson-James Keep Fighting Foundation'.... Canes4Life!!!

Humble83 (Sinorice Moss): WE'RE BACK!!!! THA "U"

bigmacvikings (Bryant McKinnie): Yes! I was nervous but The U pulled it out.

Romarley (Rohan Marley): I bleed orange and green....#12 got ice in his viens...coolest player I've ever seen...

jessiearmstead (Jessie Armstead): How about the Canes

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie(notes) is saying that he isn't looking to change his current contract, but he changed agents the other day to Drew Rosenhaus. And Rosenhaus won't make a farthing from McKinnie until they've got a new contract worked out with one team or another. Do you think Rosenhaus is going to wait till the end of 2013 to get some payment from this new client?

Rosenhaus says he's not planning to do anything with McKinnie's contract but the Vikings have reason to worry if they pay any attention to the kinds of things McKinnie is saying: "I'm just trying to change a lot of things that have been going on with my career, starting with my agent," McKinnie told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "[Rosenhaus] gets a lot of things done that I want to get done so I want to see what they can do with me."



(yahoosports.com)

Lil' Kim and Busta Rhymes love partying in Miami, especially if it's for a good cause.

The pair were in town to help support their NFL bud Bryant McKinnie of the Minnesota Vikings.

This weekend McKinnie (a part-time Miami resident and former University of Miami star) and Swagga Entertainment hosted the Stand Up Miami charity event.

After spending Saturday on a yacht, McKinnie and his celeb friends (which also included VH1's Flavor of Love 2 winner Deelishis, Lisa Raye, DJ Clue and Lil Scrappy) mingled at Karu & Y.

Kim, 34, and McKinnie, 29, were spotted cozy in VIP while a moody Ryhmes -- who arrived around 3 a.m. with a small group of people -- only stayed in the club for about 15 minutes.



(miamiherald.com)

Q: Would it put an extra hitch in your giddyup to see Brett Favre at quarterback for the Vikings?
A: We're always jacked up. Minnesota is a scary team without him. Defensively, we will have more of a problem if they have a Hall of Famer at quarterback. They already have a great running game and five of the biggest humans I've seen on the offensive line, starting with Bryant McKinnie. It makes sense for them, and it makes sense for him.



(sportingnews.com)

Being big has obvious rewards. There are millions of dollars Bryant McKinnie never would have made, had he stopped filling out, oh, 100 pounds ago.

But size isn't always an advantageous matter.

That's one reason why McKinnie, Minnesota's hulking left tackle, was delighted when the Vikings drafted Phil Loadholt in the second round. Finally, the 6-foot-8, 335-pound McKinnie has someone who can relate to the experience of playing in such a large body.

Loadholt has the same height, and he's listed even heavier at 343 pounds.

"There's just some things that we can't do, that everybody else can do," McKinnie said.

Take blocking, for example, particularly on field goal attempts. Coaches have criticized McKinnie's technique, some of which he claims is beyond his control and simply part of being so big.

"Sometimes they tell you to bend - 'Oh, bend your knees' - but you have somebody that's four inches shorter than you next to you," McKinnie said. "They make you feel like you're not bending, but you are."

The standard NFL line is that starting spots, especially for rookies, are never guaranteed. Loadholt, however, is the clear front-runner at right tackle following a 2008 season in which Ryan Cook regressed from the year before and Artis Hicks was often hurt.

The draft was deep at his position, so Loadholt's landing in the second round was attributable to concerns about his footwork and conditioning. He brings, however, plenty of upside.

"You can have a huge guy on your offensive line and, depending on how his play is, it can make a difference or it can't," running back Adrian Peterson said over the weekend during the team's mandatory minicamp at Winter Park. "But him being from Oklahoma and me knowing his background, I will definitely be excited if he gets on the field."

On draft day, Peterson offered this: "You think about him and Big Mack, with their size, and it's a dream for a running back."

Loadholt has much to learn, beginning with the playbook. He had a false start penalty during the full-team scrimmage portion Saturday, evidence of the overwhelming nature of those first few practices with a new team.
McKinnie, though, is eager to advise.

"That'll make him a better player even faster," said McKinnie, a first-round draft pick in 2002 who has had his share of ups and downs but was deemed valuable enough by the Vikings three years ago to get a contract extension through the 2013 season.

Like McKinnie, Loadholt is reserved and quiet around reporters, a soft-spoken demeanor that seemingly contradicts the players' size. They both went to junior college before transferring to big-time - no pun intended - schools.

"He's been successful in this league for a long time," Loadholt said. "He's a guy I've looked up to since he's been playing, so I'm definitely excited about the opportunity to learn some things from him."

Looked up to, of course, is a figurative term. Loadholt is thicker than McKinnie, with shoulder-length dreadlocks that make him appear even wider.

"That is a massive human being," coach Brad Childress said last month.

Loadholt said he couldn't have been put in a better place to begin his career, given the veterans around him on the line and the star in Peterson behind him in the backfield.

Now he's looking forward to playing up to that, well, large potential of his.

"He's physically gifted. He's handled himself well. I like his temperament," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "He's got a little bit of physicalness to him, so I like what I've seen so far."

(seattletimes.com)

It’s just a little, seemingly innocent sentence buried in the middle of a Star-Tribune article about Phil Loadholt and the (quite literally) big impression he made on the first day of rookie minicamp.  Or, maybe it isn’t so innocent:

While he was impressed by Loadholt’s first workout, [Brad] Childress stopped well short of handing the big fella the starting right tackle spot ahead of incumbent Ryan Cook. “I see it as a good competition out there,” Childress said.
Childress also said he envisions Loadholt having the flexibility of being able to play both tackle positions.

Elsewhere in the same article, there is a reference to Chilly informing Bryant McKinnie that Loadholt has now officially supplanted him as the largest man on the Vikings’ roster.  Given that remark about Loadholt’s flexibility, I have to ask:  will there be another meeting in the near future where Childress informs McKinnie that he has been replaced as the team’s starting left tackle?  Something to watch for, maybe.

(thevikingage.com)

Former Pretty Ricky vocalist Pleasure P is looking beyond his success as an entertainer with the launch of his new record label, Swagga Entertainment.

A joint venture between star Minnesota Vikings player Bryant McKinnie and Pleasure P, Swagga Entertainment is described as a multi-faceted, full service record label that promotes all genres of music and artist development.


According to McKinnie, the independent label is “going places at a rapid speed” as he predicts “long term success in the music industry.”

The NFL star has vowed to use his resources and experience to ensure success for Swagga Entertainment.

“The essence of a lasting record label is not a learned trait to be savored by short term objectives and record sales, but a life time journey that leads to a historical impact to be savored and attained by all,” McKinnie explained to AllHipHop.com.

McKinnie’s know-how will not be the only factor in making Swagga Entertainment a force in the music industry while developing up and coming artists.

Pleasure P. has worked with artists like Likl Wayne, Trick Daddy and his former group Pretty Ricky.

He will bring his experience as a solo artist and provide added insight in establishing the label among fans and industry movers and shakers.

News of the venture comes as Pleasure P enjoys the success of his latest single, “Boyfriend # 2.”

The song is the second tune released from his forthcoming debut album The Introduction of Marcus Cooper.

The release, which features the hit lead single “Did You Wrong,” is slated to hit stores June 9.

(allhiphop.com)

Charles Oakley and Bryant McKinnie jumping on the Florida Panthers' bed and joining in the team's end of the season party Monday night at B.E.D. on South Beach. Between B.E.D. and Prime 112, the player party/dinner cost $21,000.


(miamiherald.com)

MIAMI (AP) — Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie can avoid a trial and have fight charges against him dropped if he completes community service and counseling and avoids another arrest.

Miami attorney Larry Kerr confirmed Thursday his client has been accepted into a pretrial diversion program, in lieu of a trial that was to begin Monday.

McKinnie must pay a three-figure enrollment fee, perform at least 25 hours of community service and participate in at least six counseling sessions to complete the program.

McKinnie faced four charges, including felony aggravated battery, stemming from a street fight a year ago outside a Miami nightclub. Kerr said McKinnie was grateful for support from the Vikings, their fans and his family and friends during the process.

(ap.com)

Vikings T Bryant McKinnie had a pretrial hearing cancelled on Thursday, but is still set to go on trial March 16 on four charges stemming from a fight last February.



(profootballtalk.com)

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie has a trial date in Miami set for March 16.

He faces four charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a fight outside a nightclub in February. McKinnie's lawyer, Larry Kerr, appeared in Miami-Dade County court Tuesday. McKinnie was not required to attend.

Kerr says he is continuing to negotiate a pretrial diversion program for his client.

If he's successful, the charges could be dropped if McKinnie meets certain conditions. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Kerr will participate in a status conference on March 5. He said the judge will not let the process "go on forever."

McKinnie served a four-game suspension from the NFL in September for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

(ap.com)

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who has now played four games after being suspended for the first four for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy stemming from his arrest for a February incident outside a Miami nightclub, was asked if he has reached his pre-suspension form.

"Not yet," he said. "I still have some work to do, but I've got a little bit of time. But I'm getting better and I'm getting the old feeling back.

"My weight is good; I'm in good shape. It's just getting my confidence back because I haven't been here for a little bit. So certain things I do, I probably lack a little confidence in, but I'm getting it back slowly. I'm just going to continue my progress and work to get better each game."

McKinnie said he hasn't heard anything about the date for his court hearing.

McKinnie is determined not to get in any more trouble. The last problem cost him $746,000, and he might be out of football if he gets into trouble again.

(startribune.com)

Bryant McKinnie was back at left tackle following his four-game suspension and held up relatively well. "He got bulled maybe once or twice, but I thought stamina was good," Childress said. "I think I mentioned last night that I didn't have to call his name very much."


(chicagotribune.com)

Bryant McKinnie has come back to Minnesota a few pounds - and a few friends - lighter.

His four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy completed, McKinnie returned to practice Thursday at left tackle for the Vikings eager to re-establish his presence on their line and make up his absence to his teammates. He also claimed a different approach to what he does and who he's with when he's out and about at night.

"I changed some phone numbers and got rid of some people I feel like weren't for me," McKinnie said, adding: "Just to get rid of that, 'He likes to hang out.'"

McKinnie was charged with three misdemeanors and aggravated battery, a felony, following a February street brawl outside a Miami nightclub. Though the case is pending, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued his punishment right before the regular season began with more than just this incident in mind.

Three years ago, McKinnie pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct for his role in the infamously rowdy boat party attended by several players during the team's bye week. Earlier that season, he was also arrested after a late-night scuffle at a gas station. Those charges were later dropped.

In the second season of a seven-year contract worth up to $48.5 million, including more than $17 million guaranteed, McKinnie has risked plenty of earning power with his off-the-field actions - not to mention his reputation and the reward of playing football for a living. Though he pointed to his high-profile status as one cause of the current charges, McKinnie acknowledged his responsibility in the matter that he has declined to discuss in detail for legal reasons.

"I put myself out there and things happen," McKinnie said, his first public comments since the suspension. "I have to be held accountable for what happened. So now what I've learned is try to make better decisions. Don't put yourself in a situation like that. You know when you have your salary on the Internet and things like that, you become a target and you've just got to have a gameplan when you go out."

Coach Brad Childress had a stern warning for McKinnie earlier this year when news broke of his trouble, insinuating his future with the franchise was in question. Childress didn't quite warmly welcome him back this week, but then again the low-key Childress doesn't exactly glow when he speaks about anybody. The coach did, however, positively note McKinnie's condition.

"He looks to be in great shape and good spirits," Childress said.

The Vikings can use a one-week roster exemption before making a move to accommodate McKinnie. He said he shared time at left tackle in practice with Artis Hicks, who performed admirably with an injured elbow against four elite defensive ends during the four games McKinnie missed.

"I'm happy to see him back and see him get back on track and have a great year," said Hicks, who refused to answer a question about whether he was told by the coaches McKinnie would immediately recoup the starting job. Childress was noncommital when asked whether Hicks might rotate snaps at the position in Monday's game at New Orleans to cope with McKinnie's inevitable rust.

Spending the last month in the heat of Miami looks as if it helped the 6-foot-8 McKinnie, who has occasionally had trouble controlling his weight but is now at 348 pounds.

"It actually showed me how much I really like football," McKinnie said. "Just being away from it for a while and watching my teammates play and sometimes watching certain things. I felt like, 'Maybe I could've done this to help.'"

He said he used a personal trainer and spent as much time as he could lifting weights, running and working on drills specific to his position.
"I actually think I might be in better shape now than when I left," he said, laughing.

The Vikings hope that holds true off the field, too. McKinnie said he tries to limit his time out on the town and has become more focused on business affairs away from football, particularly a record label he is a part of.

So is he a changed man?

"Can't change overnight," he said, "but I'm in the process of changing."

(in-forum.com)

Bryant McKinnie returns to the Viking starting line-up following a 4 game suspension. Pending his conditioning, McKinnie is expected to start this Sunday's game at New Orleans.

Insight: The Addition of "Mount" McKinnie to the Viking offensive line can only help the numbers for runningback Adrian Peterson. McKinnie will also help protect Gus Frerotte, who would rather not "Remember the Titans".

(sportsnetwork.com)

MIAMI (AP) — Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie had another court date in his assault case set for Nov. 18 at a status hearing Wednesday.

McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to four charges stemming from a street brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February, including felony battery. McKinnie was not present at the hearing Wednesday, where lawyers updated the judge on the status of the case.

He is eligible to return from a four-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy following Minnesota's game at Tennessee this weekend.

Coach Brad Childress says he is not ready to say whether McKinnie will return to his starting position. Artis Hicks has been playing in his place.

(usatoday.com)

The four-game suspension settles it. The Vikings haven't gotten what they paid for, on the field and off, when they committed to the big offensive tackle in 2006.

Three days before Brad Childress coached his first game with the Vikings in 2006, the franchise rewarded Bryant McKinnie with a seven-year, $48.4 million contract extension that included $18 million guaranteed.

The deal was significant for two reasons: It indicated the Vikings felt McKinnie was becoming an elite left tackle. And it showed they were confident his off-the-field troubles were behind him.

They have been proven wrong on both counts.

McKinnie was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2007 but has yet to join the NFL's elite at one of the most difficult and important positions in the game. More important, he isn't going to ascend to that until he gets his act together away from football.

McKinnie's most recent transgression -- a brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February that led to him facing four charges -- caused NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend him Friday for the first four games of the regular season. It marked the fourth time McKinnie has been in trouble with the law since the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2002 draft.

Childress has not been available for comment since the announcement, but this is exactly why he told reporters in March that he faced a potentially "difficult" decision on McKinnie's future. Childress couldn't be faulted then, and he shouldn't be now, if he feels betrayed.

A coach who preaches accountability among his players no doubt had a major role in rewarding McKinnie with that big contract. The thanks Childress received two years later: The Vikings will have to play a quarter of the season without McKinnie, and that doesn't even take into account that his legal case in Miami has yet to be resolved. (McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to all charges.)

If McKinnie is going to change his ways, he must start now. The conditions of the NFL suspension -- which the Vikings appealed but failed to get reduced -- include no contact with the team except to arrange off-site medical treatment.

This means McKinnie theoretically could return home to the Miami area during his mandated absence. But if McKinnie has learned anything, he will spend his time near the Vikings facility in Eden Prairie working out and staying away from anything that even resembles a nightclub.

If Childress is the person most upset with McKinnie, the second person on that list should be quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

Jackson, already hobbled by a knee injury, has said he definitely will be ready to play in the Vikings' opener a week from Monday at Green Bay. He will have to do it without his blind side being protected by a guy who had started 89 consecutive games at left tackle.

The Vikings' plan is to have Artis Hicks replace McKinnie. The good news for the Vikings is that Packers pass-rush specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila might miss the opener because of a knee injury.

The bad news is that Hicks is still scheduled to face Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney, Carolina's Julius Peppers and Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch in the following three games. The Vikings' plan to start Hicks could change, but keep in mind this is not a position at which teams can easily find a replacement.

"It's a shame because I thought that line had grown some cohesion last year, and everybody knows how important the left tackle position is," said NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, who worked the Vikings' preseason telecasts. "But the good thing is I think the Vikings understood this potentially could happen. From what I've seen in practice and on tape Hicks is a natural left-side player.

"I think they got him a significant number of snaps on the left side [in training camp] just in case. Do you want to open against Green Bay, Indianapolis, Carolina and Tennessee without McKinnie? No way. But I think they are good enough up front to weather that storm. Especially because they run the football so effectively."

If the Vikings are so lucky -- and this is a team that has big expectations entering 2008 -- they can only hope McKinnie has learned his lesson.

(startribune.com)

MANKATO -- Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie faces plenty of unknowns as he prepares for his seventh NFL season.

He faces four charges, including one felony, stemming from a brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February, and he is scheduled for a Sept. 24 court date. (He does not need to appear.) That incident also made McKinnie a repeat offender of the league's conduct policy, meaning he could face a multi-game suspension from the NFL.

McKinnie, who met with Commissioner Roger Goodell in June, said Wednesday he has not heard from the league and isn't worrying about things at this point. "I actually have been focused on football," he said. "I feel like some of the stuff that happened in the offseason has been my motivation to play well this season. I've been pretty focused."

There is good reason for this. In March, Vikings coach Brad Childress admitted to reporters that he faced a potentially "difficult" decision on McKinnie's future. Childress' message almost certainly was conveyed in a face-to-face discussion with McKinnie, who received a seven-year contract extension worth $48.5 million in 2006. McKinnie said Childress and the Vikings have been supportive throughout this process.

McKinnie isn't in a situation to talk about his case -- his Florida-based attorney has asked the state to allow McKinnie to enter a pre-trial diversion program that could lead to the charges being dismissed -- but said he's confident things will work out.

"People may not know the whole story," McKinnie said. "Sometimes it might get portrayed as one way when that might not be the case. ... I guess when everything is done and over with then you could possibly talk about it. It depends on how everything goes."

Meanwhile, McKinnie is spending much of camp locked in one-on-one battles with Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen, who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season. That experience should be very valuable considering McKinnie's goal is to improve his pass blocking.

(startribune.com)

MANKATO, Minn. - Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie knows he might not face a tougher pass-rushing defensive end this season than he does every day of training camp in Jared Allen.

That's why McKinnie said he's trying to learn as much as possible from Allen, who had an NFL-best 15{ sacks last season.

"I think he will help me as far as moves that I might struggle with," McKinnie said Sunday. "He has some moves that (other defensive ends) have that I want to learn how to stop."

The two have gone head-to-head a number of times through the first three days of camp; Allen got the best of the matchup in team drills Saturday. Allen's speed off the edge clearly has been a challenge for McKinnie, who has picked Allen's brain about different moves.

"It helps me more, because defensive ends come up with different techniques to try and get around offensive linemen, so we share information with each other," McKinnie said. "It will help in the long run."

Allen said he also benefits from facing McKinnie because of his size (6-8, 335 pounds).

"He's a big dude," Allen said. "I told Coach, 'Another week and a half of this, I might have to take a little break. Pushing 350 around all day (is hard). For me and Bryant to be working together, it's going to make us both better."

(theplympian.com)

The Star Tribune reports Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie said he had no update on the status of his criminal case in Miami or whether he will be punished further by the NFL. "Right now I'm just worried about camp until I get further notice," he said. McKinnie, who has pleaded not guilty to four charges stemming from a brawl outside a Miami nightclub, has a court date Sept. 24. His attorney, Larry Kerr, has asked the state of Florida to allow McKinnie to enter a pretrial diversion program that could lead to the charges being dismissed. Kerr said this week that he has not received an answer yet. McKinnie also is subject to disciplinary measures from the NFL as a repeat offender of the league's conduct policy.

(ffmastermind.com)

6. Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota Vikings. McKinnie's off-the-field troubles may keep him off the field in '08. If he plays, he is an outstanding run blocker and a big, powerful athlete. The Vikings run behind him and left guard Steve Hutchinson almost exclusively. As a pass protector, McKinnie needs little help.

Click here to see the rest of the rankings.

The Star Tribune reports Minnesota Vikings OLT Bryant McKinnie isn't likely to get closure on his latest legal problems before the Vikings report to training camp on July 23 and his status with the NFL also remains in limbo. When the latter situation will get resolved is anyone's guess at this point. McKinnie had his criminal case continued again Friday during a hearing in Miami-Dade County Court and now is scheduled for a Sept. 24 court date at which he does not have to be present. As pointed out before, however, the NFL is not required to wait for the legal system to play out before imposing punishment and a possible suspension on McKinnie. That's because McKinnie, who met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in late May, is a repeat offender of the league's personal-conduct policy. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail Tuesday that he had "nothing to report" on the McKinnie situation or the fact that the player's next hearing is scheduled for a date that will be three weeks into the regular season. Nonetheless, there is a chance the NFL will act on the McKinnie situation before that next court date. If McKinnie does find himself suspended, look for OT Artis Hicks to replace him at left tackle.

(ffmastermind.com)

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie's hearing in Miami-Dade County Court today was continued until Sept. 24, said his attorney, Larry Kerr.

"Both parties are hopeful of resolving this case, with this pretrial diversion program," Kerr said. "But we need more time to cross all the T's and dot all the I's, and the judge understood that and is giving us the time to accomplish all of that."

McKinnie does not have to be present at that hearing, Kerr added.

The charges stem from his Feb. 24 arrest outside a Miami nightclub, a matter that compelled NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to meet with McKinnie recently. McKinnie faces four charges, including felony battery, after a fight with a member of the nightclub's staff.

"Bryant is obviously taking this matter very seriously," Kerr said. "At the last court hearing, he was present with his mother. He's handling the matter in the right way, and he has confidence in the justice system.

"Now it's a matter of letting me and the prosecutor do our jobs and let the case play itself out."

Asked about the NFL, Kerr said, "I have no control over the NFL. I can only tell you that that's what happened in court this morning."

(twincities.com)

Miami, FL, June 12, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has welcomed Bryant McKinnie of the Minnesota Vikings as the newest ambassador to the foundation. The foundation was inspired and established by Dr. Nelson Mandela over a decade ago with the help of some of the world's most famous athletes, among them Dan Marino, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Nadia Comaneci, & Gale Sayers.

During the weekend of May 17th in Miami, McKinnie hosted the Laureus Foundation’s Third Annual Celebrity Fundraiser along with NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen and Olympic Track and Field Gold Medalist Edwin Moses. More than thirty greats of golf, tennis, football, hockey, and the Olympics joined McKinnie for the fundraiser which, along with the foundation’s golf and tennis invitational, raised more than $150,000 to support the formation of CampInteractive’s South Florida chapter benefitting at-risk teens.

“The event was really inspiring. I am truly honored to join this amazing group of people as we work to make a difference in the lives of children,” said McKinnie.

"Bryant's effort to come all the way from Minnesota to join us is indicative of his commitment to using his stature and natural talents towards positive social ends,” said Moses, who serves as Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy. “We warmly welcome Bryant to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation family of athletes. We look forward to working with him and the Minnesota Vikings in the future."

McKinnie, the Vikings’ starting left tackle, was a key component of the NFL’s #1 ranked rushing offense in 2007 and helped pave the way for running back Adrian Peterson’s Offensive Rookie of the Year season last year as well. In 2001, McKinnie was part of the University of Miami’s National Championship team. Known as “The Impenetrable One,” the 6’8” 335 lb lineman did not allow a sack during his entire college career and was honored as the best interior lineman in college football with the Outland Trophy in 2001.

About the foundation:
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is part of a global movement to help needy children through the positive power of sport, and its mission is to promote and mentor good citizenship among the world's youth. As Dr. Mandela so eloquently stated at the inception of this foundation: “A society can be judged by how it treats its children.” The foundation supports 47 Sport for Good projects worldwide including four in the USA. For information, please see Laureus.com.

(pr.com)

Larry Kerr, the Florida-based attorney for Bryant McKinnie, said today he continues to await word on whether the state will allow the Vikings left tackle to enter a pre-trial diversion program that could lead to the dismissal of charges against his client.

McKinnie is scheduled for a June 20 hearing in Miami-Dade County court. McKinnie faces four charges from a Feb. 24 brawl outside a Miami nightclub. He has pleased not guilty to all charges, which includes a felony for aggravated battery.

Kerr said McKinnie will not be required to attend the June 20 hearing. “I hope to have an answer [from the state] sometime that week,” Kerr said.

Asked about McKinnie’s meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last Friday, Kerr said, ”When the Vikings have something to report I assume they’ll issue a press release.”

McKinnie could face disciplinary action from the league because he is a repeat offender of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

(mnsportscentral.com)

Bryant McKinnie has made his case to the NFL's head disciplinarian, but the Vikings offensive tackle's status with the league remains uncertain.

In a story first reported by profootballtalk.com, McKinnie met Friday morning with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the league's New York City offices, although no decision on a possible suspension is expected until his Florida legal situation is resolved.

McKinnie has a June 20 report date in Miami-Dade County Court as a result of his Feb. 24 arrest stemming from a fight outside a Miami nightclub.

Regardless of the resolution of that case, he also faces possible discipline under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

McKinnie's attorney hopes to persuade the state of Florida before that June 20 date to allow the player to enter a pre-trial diversion program.

If the state agrees and McKinnie fulfills the terms of the program, the charges against him would be dismissed.

If an agreement cannot be reached before June 20, a new trial date would be set.

Phone calls and e-mails to McKinnie's attorney, Larry Kerr, were not returned Saturday, and agent Ben Dogra had no comment.
An NFL spokesman said the league does not comment on such meetings.

McKinnie, who has started 87 consecutive games at left tackle for the Vikings, faces four charges, including one of felony aggravated battery. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In his only comments on the case two weeks ago, he said he believes he will be with the Vikings for the duration of training camp and the season.

"I won't make any speculations," he said, "but I'm hoping to be able to be with the team."

McKinnie was one of four Vikings players charged in the wake of the team's infamous Love Boat scandal in 2005, eventually pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance on a watercraft.

In addition to agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service, he was fined one week's salary, approximately $41,000, by the NFL in that case.

(twincities.com)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) Bryant McKinnie is back with the Vikings, hoping he won't have to leave.

After attending a court hearing in Florida the day before, McKinnie joined his teammates in Minnesota. He took part in Wednesday's offseason workout, one of the voluntary-but-expected spring practices known as "organized team activities." McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to charges one felony and three misdemeanors stemming from a fight outside a Miami nightclub in February.

He declined to discuss his legal situation after practice, but said it's been a "learning experience" for him.

McKinnie said he wouldn't "make any speculations" about whether he'll face a suspension from the NFL, but that he's hoping to be with the Vikings all season.

(ap.com)

Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie had his June 2 trial date continued to a June 20 report at a pre-trial hearing today in Miami-Dade County Court.

McKinnie missed Tuesday's OTA to attend a hearing related to the charges he faces after a brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February.

McKinnie's attorney, Larry Kerr, said he hopes to convince the state of Florida to allow the player to enter a pre-trial diversion program.

If the state agrees and McKinnie fulfills the terms of the program, the charges against him would be dismissed.

"I aim to make sure that happens," Kerr said. "But only the state of Florida can let him into the program."

If an agreement cannot be reached before June 20, Kerr said a new trial date would be set.

McKinnie, who was in court for today's hearing and not on had for the second day of organized team activities at Winter Park, faces four charges, including one of felony battery stemming from a Feb. 24 fight outside a Miami nightclub.

He also faces a possible NFL suspension, depending on the resolution of the case.

(twincities.com)

ProFootballTalk is hearing rumors that the Vikings are preparing to begin the season without left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who may be suspended over an off-season incident in which he attacked a bouncer outside a Miami club.

There is nothing concrete along with these “rumors,” since the NFL won’t comment on McKinnie’s situation, nor will the Vikings, nor will McKinnie. But you don’t really need anything concrete in this situation…McKinnie is clearly looking at some kind of discipline from the league.  Possibly a two-game suspension like Jared Allen got at the start of last season.

Should McKinnie be suspended, it’s likely that Artis Hicks would play left tackle, unless the Vikes wanted to take a look at Chase Johnson, a guy who could be a candidate to permanently replace McKinnie down the road.  Either way, the loss of McKinnie would mean a diminished run game, and possibly an improved pass game due to a reduction in the number of right ends screaming around to level the quarterback.

(thevikingage.com)

MIAMI -- A Miami judge has set a June 2 trial date for Minnesota Vikings player Bryant McKinnie on charges arising from a brawl outside a nightclub.

The circuit judge set the case for trial at a brief hearing Friday. McKinnie's attorney and prosecutors said they have not reached any pleal deal.

McKinnie, who did not appear in court, is charged with aggravated battery and several other offenses after a brawl outside downtown Miami's Club Space in February. The 6-foot-8, 335-pound offensive tackle has pleaded not guilty.

McKinnie, 28, played college football at Miami (Fla.) and was drafted in the first round in 2002 by the Vikings. The Vikings have said they will wait until the legal issues are settled before deciding on any disciplinary actions.

(espn.com)

We now hear that Vikings OLT Bryant McKinnie's place on the team probably is safe. Some teams around the NFL sent out feelers to the Vikings but reportedly were rebuffed. Word outside the locker room suggests that disciplinarian Brad Childress likely won't come down hard on McKinnie.

(profootballweekly.com)

Trading unpredictable left tackle Bryant McKinnie to the Miami Dolphins for high-character pass rusher Jason Taylor would seem to make sense for the Vikings. The problem for Minnesota, though, would be replacing McKinnie. Next month's NFL draft will feature several top offensive linemen, but they're expected to go early, and the Vikings don't pick until No. 17 in the first round.

(cnnsi.com)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress said the team will wait out the legal system and the NFL before determining whether Bryant McKinnie needs to be disciplined following a fight outside a Miami night club.

"The legal system is obviously what's in play here for starters," Childress told reporters Tuesday at team headquarters. "It's difficult to talk about. The legal system is what it is. Time kind of seems like it goes through an hour glass. It grinds. It doesn't usually fast track."

Childress was careful not to pass judgment on McKinnie, and he spoke cautiously about the situation.

McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces including aggravated battery, which is a felony, and three misdemeanors after a street brawl outside Club Space in February.
Since taking over two years ago, Childress has demanded accountability from his players, both on the field and off.

Owner Zygi Wilf made it clear after coach Mike Tice was fired that he would not tolerate embarrassing behavior like the infamous "Love Boat" scandal, and Childress hasn't hesitated to punish players for misbehaving.

McKinnie's next court date is April 11. Regardless of the outcome with authorities, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could still decide to levy some sort of disciplinary action, as could the Vikings.
"I'd just say we've been consistent, the Wilfs have been consistent, with the way we want the Vikings to be represented," Childress said. "I know what Zygi's values are and I know what my values are and I know what our collective Vikings values are.

"I'm looking for the right words here. It's difficult."

McKinnie is an anchor on the left side of the line along with All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson and Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, who helped pave the way for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor last year.

When asked if McKinnie, who signed a seven-year, $48.5 million contract extension in 2006, is still considered one of the building blocks of his team, Childress hesitated.

"I know you don't want to hear, 'Until I get all the facts,"' he said. "But we could face some difficult decisions down the road. Some are tougher than others."

McKinnie's trouble is just one of the problems facing the Vikings this offseason.

(usatoday.com)

Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who was arrested last month and charged with aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, pleaded not guilty today, Sean Jensen of the Star-Tribune reports.

McKinnie is accused of spitting in the face of a bouncer who kicked him out of a club in his hometown of Miami, and then leaving the club only to return, shove his phone in the bouncer's face and then pick up a heavy pole and hit the bouncer with it.

For now we don't know enough to judge the merits of the legal case against him, but it does appear safe to say that McKinnie is going to need to demonstrate that the accusations are totally false if he wants to avoid a suspension. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made clear that he doesn't have to wait until a player is convicted of a crime before he issues a suspension: An arrest alone is enough to warrant a suspension, especially for players who aren't first-time offenders of the NFL's personal conduct policy.

McKinnie was already once docked a paycheck by the NFL and has been arrested twice in the last three years, once in October 2005 for a disturbance at a Minneapolis gas station, and once when he and some teammates were accused of doing some things they shouldn't have during a boat party. These latest accusations are more serious than those previous incidents, meaning Goodell is very likely to suspend McKinnie for the start of the 2008 season.

(sports.aol.com)