@markcraignfl

Football enterprise reporter helps cover the Vikings for the Star Tribune. AP NFL honors/All-Pro voter and former longtime Pro Football Hall of Fame selector.

Joined July 2009
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395Media
I'd buy shower curtain rings off that guy.
Brian Murphy@murphmedia_Oct 16
“You’re going the wrong way!” “How does he know where we’re going?”
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At last month’s home opener, the @Vikings honored my dad in the press box and on the stadium video board. I grew up around the team as a ball boy while Dad covered it. Seeing his memory held in a place that meant so much to him meant everything to our family. Thank you. 💜
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Bethel (No. 7 nationally) at St. John’s (No. 5). 13,000+ expected in Collegeville. The Great Augie would’ve been jacked up for this tilt.
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Thought I'd keep my Saturday streak going with another trip to see a couple of, um, small college schools. They're expecting a few more people in the stands than St. Olaf last week.
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Enjoy getting to know more about the guy with the NFL's best nickname. Nice job, Emily.
emily leiker@emleikerOct 2
Weight gain. School struggles. A 1-game suspension. Domonique Orange grew through it all en route to an NFL career with the Vikings. Now, Big Citrus enjoys the fruits of his labor: buff.ly/Fxlh4EE

How Vikings’ ‘Big Citrus’ found a way through setbacks to carve out NFL role

Rookie defensive tackle Domonique Orange, a third-round pick, had to overcome issues with his weight, grades and discipline before becoming a pro.

startribune.com
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He made Mount Bustmore!
Kevin Seifert@SeifertESPNSep 28
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, J.J. McCarthy is 1 of 4 first-round QBs in the past 25 years to start 10 or fewer games for the team that drafted them. The others: Paxton Lynch Trey Lance Johnny Manziel
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Mark Craig retweeted
Randy Johnson@RJstribOct 1
Replying to @markcraignfl
Wise Old Owl nailed it! Incredible read.
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This was one of the more enjoyable stories I can remember. Thanks to both schools, players and coaches for making it so easy to write. Special thanks to Tom Journell. Never walked with a coach post-game to his house to get a ladder to turn an eagle. startribune.com/minnesota-co…

These Minnesota college football rivals are 1.6 miles apart. After a win, they take a walk.

Football Across Minnesota: Carleton and St. Olaf have played for more than a century. The winner gets the Goat Trophy — then marches through Northfield to spin an iron eagle toward its campus.

startribune.com
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Case Keenum is a joy to watch because in a league filled with overthinking and constant fear of mistakes, Case plays without fear and just lets it rip. Also kind of ironic that on the day JJ gets traded, the Bears needed a QB3 to win a game. Hmmm.
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I think my new favorite uniform is Carleton's. Can't get any more old school than these white unis.
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The Vikings defensive line takes up only $9,444,970 of the team’s $301.2 million salary cap. Definition of bang for the buck. (H/t: @markcraignfl)
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Just a devils advocate point to consider.
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Wentz had 11 completions and the offense had 11 first downs.But before we rush to rush Kyler back, Carson and the offense has no turnovers in all but 11 snaps in two weeks. Kyler had an atrocious turnover - the team's only one - in 11 snaps.Vikings 2-0 and No. 1 in turnover diff.
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Only took me 27 years of saying I'd like to see a game at St. John's to actually come up here to see the Johnnies. Beautiful setting, even without the sun.
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Thanks and have faith and don't shoot the messenger.
Tony Tindall@FanDad34Sep 13
Replying to @markcraignfl
Gosh dangit, Mark!! (Great story on Coach Dex earlier this week, btw).
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Another knock on wood nugget: Forget QBs, Kevin O'Connell is the greatest Kicker Whisperer in franchise history. He's not only never lost on a missed field goal, in 13 one-score losses, his kickers are perfect, 21 of 21 on field goals and 28 of 28 on PATs.
Star Tribune Sports
@StribSportsSep 13
The Vikings may finally have a kicker who can ease generations of pain. (Knock on wood?) startribune.com/minnesota-vi…

The Vikings may finally have a kicker who can ease generations of pain. (Knock on wood?)

All-Pro Will Reichard missed only two of 66 kicks last season. And in 27 losses under Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have never lost because of a missed field goal. That kind of reliability could prove...

startribune.com
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The Vikings' best, most reliable player is ... A kicker?! Your knuckles will be bloody knocking on wood by the time you finish this one. But part of Will Reichard's greatness is "he doesn't believe in jinxes," says his first kicking coach, Mike McCabe.
Star Tribune Sports
@StribSportsSep 13
The Vikings may finally have a kicker who can ease generations of pain. (Knock on wood?) startribune.com/minnesota-vi…

The Vikings may finally have a kicker who can ease generations of pain. (Knock on wood?)

All-Pro Will Reichard missed only two of 66 kicks last season. And in 27 losses under Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have never lost because of a missed field goal. That kind of reliability could prove...

startribune.com
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C'mon Carl! I know you have another snap in you, too.
Carl Eller
@CarlEller81Sep 9
I'm very happy to see Harrison Smith back for another year with the Vikings!
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Perfect day for football! First time watching Glenn Caruso's Tommies!
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Mark Craig retweeted
Strib Varsity
@StribVarsitySep 8
Football Across Minnesota: Dexter Phillips nearly died from COVID. Now the St. Michael-Albertville coach is using the life he almost lost to shape the lives of those around him. varsity.startribune.com/minn…

This football coach was given a 5% chance to live. Four years later, he knows exactly why he...

Football Across Minnesota: Dexter Phillips nearly died from COVID. Now the St. Michael-Albertville coach is using the life he almost lost to shape the lives of those around him.

varsity.startribune.com
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