Minnesota Vikings vs Jacksonville Jaguars

The Minnesota Vikings will host the Jacksonville Jaguars for the home opener at the HHH Metrodome. The game is on Sunday, September 9, 2012.

Minnesota Vikings v Jacksonville Jaguars

9/9/2012

Stadium Highlight: Minneapolis Metrodome

The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly referred to as the Metrodome, is the home of Mall of America Field and is located at 900 South 5th Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Metrodome replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America. The Metrodome is the ninth oldest stadium in the National Football League and has been the home of the Minnesota Vikings for over 30 years. 

The Metrodome was named in the honor of former mayor of Minneapolis, U.S. Senator and U.S. Vice President, Hubert Humphrey. Hubert Humphrey died in 1978. After several name proposals, Hubert H. Humphrey was the clear choice. Because of his dedication to the state and to teamwork, the Metrodome was appropriately named in Humphrey's honor. 

Since 1982, the combined attendance at Metrodome events exceeds 55 million people, making it the most versatile and heavily used stadium in the nation. There are 64,000 seats in the arena and 115 suites. The ever-busy Metrodome is the only stadium in the world to have hosted all of the following: the NFL Super Bowl (1992), Major League Baseball's All-Star Game (1985), two World Series (1987, 1991), and the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (1992, 2001). 

More than half a million people have come to the Metrodome to see concerts by major performers such as Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Guns N' Roses, Faith No More, Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, George Strait, Tom Petty and The Grateful Dead. 

Unique in design and legendary for noise level, the Metrodome is a staple in the Minneapolis skyline. 

Matt Kalil and the Minnesota Vikings

USC left tackle Matt Kalil will offer the Minnesota Vikings a player capable of starting right away. The Vikings have always invested in the offensive line. The investment has typically paid off as the Vikings have always had strong offensive line plays.

Kalil is the undisputed top tackle in the draft and is seen as a foundation piece for an offensive line. He comes from a big school and has faced top competition and is equally adept at blocking in either the passing and running games. Picking Kalil would solidify Minnesota's offensive line in two spots, left tackle and left guard

2011--DeMarcus Love, Arkansas: sixth round (168th overall) -- still with the Vikings
2010--Chris DeGeare, Wake Forest: fifth round (161st overall) -- still with the Vikings
2009--Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma: second round (54th overall) -- still with the Vikings
2004--Nat Dorsey, Georgia Tech: fourth round (115th overall) -- traded to Cleveland Browns, September 2005, out of the league
2002--Bryant McKinnie, Miami: first round (seventh overall) -- released, August 2011, signed with the Baltimore Ravens

Stadium Deal Updates

Negotiators for the House of Representatives and charitable gaming interests struck a deal this weekend to provide more tax relief for charities. The agreement potentially removes one of the remaining obstacles blocking the Vikings stadium bill.

The stadium bill - which would put a new stadium next to the current Metrodome, financed with $427 million from the Vikings, $398 million from the state and $150 million from Minneapolis - has had one hearing in the Senate but no vote. Monday will be its first hearing in the House.