Xavier Woods
Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) walks to the sidelines after missing a game-winning field goal attempt against the Arizona Cardinals after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hexed? Vexed? Vikings try to stay on track after missed kick

By Dave Campbell Sep. 20, 2021 07:03 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Northern Arizona at Arizona 9/18/2021

Sep. 19, 2021 03:45 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) signals teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis, in this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, file photo. The Minnesota Vikings are bringing back defensive end Everson Griffen, now the fourth player on defense to rejoin the team this year after time away with another team. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikings hope family reunion on defense sparks resurgence

By Dave Campbell Sep. 06, 2021 04:05 PM EDT

Cowboys pin turnaround on healthy offense, retooled defense

By The Associated Press Sep. 01, 2021 04:23 PM EDT
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10) New faces: LB Micah Parsons, LB Keanu Neal, DT Osa Odighizuwa, S Damontae Kazee, CB Kelvin Joseph, CB Nahshon Wright,...

Pressure's on Zimmer, Vikings, looking to lean on restored D

By The Associated Press Sep. 01, 2021 03:45 PM EDT
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) New faces: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Michael Pierce, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Bashaud Breeland, TE Chris Herndon, K...

FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2020, file photo, Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) tries to break a tackle by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The Vikings have signed five-time Pro Bowl safety Smith to a contract extension Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, securing the team's longest-tenured player for what could be the remainder of his career. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikes sign 10th-year safety Harrison Smith to $64M extension

By Dave Campbell Aug. 29, 2021 03:55 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, left, listens to wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) during NFL football training camp Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Buoyed by experienced 'D,' Zimmer exudes unfamiliar optimism

By Dave Campbell Jul. 29, 2021 07:28 PM EDT

Cowboys sign S Malik Hooker, 1st-round pick by Colts in 2017

Jul. 27, 2021 03:58 PM EDT
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys signed safety Malik Hooker on Tuesday, adding the 2017 first-round draft pick who couldn't stay healthy in four...

Zimmer, Vikings aim for rebound with restocked defense

By The Associated Press Jul. 24, 2021 11:28 AM EDT
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) CAMP SITE: Eagan, Minnesota LAST YEAR: After a badly deteriorated defense and a rash of...

Cowboys return to California for camp coming off 6-10 season

By The Associated Press Jul. 19, 2021 02:23 PM EDT
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10) CAMP SITE: Oxnard, California LAST YEAR: QB Dak Prescott's season-ending ankle injury in Week 5...

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter runs through a drill during NFL football minicamp practice Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Back from neck injury, grateful Hunter excited about Vikes D

By Dave Campbell Jun. 16, 2021 06:26 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) watches during NFL football minicamp practice Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. Hunter just signed a re-worked contract. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Vikes further bolster front by signing DT Sheldon Richardson

By Dave Campbell Jun. 15, 2021 11:56 AM EDT

File-This Oct. 31, 2020, file photo shows Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) rushing the quarterback during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich. Paye is one of the top edge rushers in this year’s draft who could entice the Vikings with the No. 14 overall pick. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
With needs on both lines, Vikes have draft-pick limitations

By Dave Campbell Apr. 23, 2021 04:27 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive backs Jared Mayden (21) and Patrick Surtain II (2) break up a pass intended for Duke wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (5) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Atlanta, in this Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, file photo. The Cowboys should have their choice of cornerbacks after losing starter Chidobe Awuzie to Cincinnati in free agency, possibly grabbing his replacement to start alongside 2020 second-round choice Trevon Diggs. Former Alabama teammate Patrick Surtain II is a popular name in mock drafts.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Dallas D needs draft help again, but don't rule out offense

By Schuyler Dixon Apr. 23, 2021 03:45 PM EDT

Cowboys have 10th overall pick, need help for woeful defense

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:45 PM EDT
10. DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10) LAST SEASON: A slow start turned ugly under first-year coach Mike McCarthy with QB Dak Prescott's gruesome season...

With No. 14 pick, Vikings could use boost on both lines

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:32 PM EDT
14. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) LAST SEASON: Minnesota stumbled to a 1-5 start due largely to a deteriorated defense coach Mike Zimmer declared...

Cowboys sign Kazee, another Quinn connection from Atlanta

Mar. 29, 2021 06:27 PM EDT
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys signed free agent safety Damontae Kazee on Monday, adding another player from new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's...

FILE - Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander waits on the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, in this Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, file photo. The Vikings have added more seasoning to their secondary by agreeing to contract terms with cornerback Mackensie Alexander and safety Xavier Woods. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Secondary help: Vikings bring back Alexander, add Woods

By Dave Campbell Mar. 29, 2021 10:46 AM EDT

Defense again figures to be focus for Cowboys in free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:33 PM EST
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Andy Dalton, DE Aldon Smith, S Xavier Woods, CB Chidobe Awuzie, CB Jourdan Lewis, LB...

Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott, center, pushes through New York Giants defenders to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Defense figures to be focus as Cowboys miss playoffs again

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 04, 2021 05:22 PM EST