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)