Dein erstes Forum » the Mavericks went on a 14-2 run. Parsons tallied e

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have taken another one of their priority free agents off the market before it opens, agreeing to terms on a five-year contract with defensive end Everson Griffen that features $20 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $42.5 million. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press on Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent announced the deal. The NFL free-agent signing period starts Tuesday. The Vikings also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, according to another person with direct knowledge of that deal who spoke to the AP on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent confirmed the agreement. Brinkley played for the Arizona Cardinals last season. Two days ago, the Vikings reached a two-year deal with quarterback Matt Cassel worth as much as $10 million. The 26-year-old Griffen, a fourth-round draft pick from USC in 2010, has an opening to become a full-time player with the departure of four-time All-Pro Jared Allen, who will officially become a free agent on Tuesday and wont be re-signed. Allen and Brian Robison have been the starting defensive ends for almost Griffens entire NFL career, though he has seen extensive action as a situational pass rusher and on special teams. Griffen is getting paid more for his potential at a critical position in this pass-driven league than for actual production. He had 5 1/2 sacks last season, down from eight in 2012. But he has the speed and athleticism to become a force if he can continue to develop, after making major strides in maturity in overcoming some off-the-field struggles including the sudden death of his mother in 2012. Brinkley rebounded from a serious knee injury in 2007 at South Carolina to be drafted in the fifth round by the Vikings in 2009. After missing the entire 2011 season following major hip surgery, Brinkley bounced back again to become a first-time NFL starter in 2012. He hit free agency the next year and signed with the Cardinals. Brinkley played in 15 games last season and started when Pro Bowl pick Darryl Washington served a suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy, but the Cardinals cut him last month to create more space under their salary cap. So hes used to playing under this type of prove-it circumstance. "They let me know the jobs wide open and its not going to be handed to anybody," Brinkley said. "Everybody has an equal opportunity to earn that spot." As the depth chart currently stands, prior to the actual opening of the free agent market and of course the draft, Brinkley will be in competition with Audie Cole for the starting middle linebacker spot. In the "Tampa Two" defence the Vikings used to use, linebackers had deep drops in zone pass coverage and Brinkley was sometimes exploited. Brinkleys skill set ought to better fit the scheme under new coach Mike Zimmer. "Minnesota has always been home for me. It has a significant place in my heart. I was raised on the frozen tundra," Brinkley said in a phone interview with the AP, foreshadowing the wintry conditions the Vikings could experience late this year at the University of Minnesotas outdoor stadium while their replacement for the Metrodome is under construction. From former Cincinnati cornerback Johnathan Joseph, a fellow South Carolina alumnus, Brinkley received a favourable report of Zimmer, who was Josephs defensive co-ordinator with the Bengals. "Hes a defensive guy. Hes a straight shooter. Hes going to tell you how it is. He does magical things with his defensive guys," Brinkley said. Wholesale Black Friday Shoes . Paul George and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and Roy Hibbert added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (9-3), who won their third straight. Black Friday Shoes Free Shipping . The teams all-time leading scorer, DeRo has won everything there is to win in MLS. https://www.shoesblackfriday.com/ . - Doug Kalitta led Top Fuel qualifying Friday in the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway with a 3. Black Friday Shoes Store . - Defensive end-linebacker Mike Neal apparently is returning to the Packers. Black Friday Shoes China . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks.Auburn Hills, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Dirk Nowitzki scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to help the Dallas Mavericks hold off the lowly Detroit Pistons, 117-106, on Wednesday. Chandler Parsons added 32 points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Mavericks, who have won six straight against Detroit. Monta Ellis tallied 25 points and eight assists. Im just in a good rhythm right now, said Parsons. Teammates are doing a great job finding me, Im playing with confidence, and you knew it was going to happen. It was just going to be a matter of time. Andre Drummond ended with 19 points, 24 rebounds, four steals and three blocks for the Pistons, who have lost two straight. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 14 points and Brandon Jennings and Jonas Jerebko each contributed 13 points. I just really base my game on playing hard, period, both on the offensive end and the defensive end, said Drummond. Tonight was a good night for me, but we diidnt win the game.dddddddddddd Dallas led 53-51 following a first half that featured five lead changes and eight ties. Ahead 69-68 late in the third quarter, the Mavericks went on a 14-2 run. Parsons tallied eight points during the surge, including a 3-pointer with 57.9 seconds left to make it 83-70. Caron Butlers 3-pointer stopped the bleeding and got Detroit within 10 heading to the fourth. The Pistons used a late surge to get within 105-100 with 2:31 to play thanks to a triple from Caldwell-Pope, but Parsons and Nowitzki made consecutive 3- pointers to put the game away in the next minute of action. Game Notes The Mavs have won four in a row in Detroit ... Nowitzki also pulled down 10 rebounds ... The Pistons have lost 11 straight at home ... Tyson Chandler had 16 points and nine rebounds for Dallas, which went 27-of-35 from the foul line ... Detroit went 13-of-33 from beyond the arc. ' ' '