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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Linval Joseph is listed at 6-foot-4 and 323 pounds, just the right size for an NFL nose tackle. The player Joseph looked up to while learning how to play in the middle of the line in high school and college was Pat Williams, and now his career has come full circle. Joseph has joined the Minnesota Vikings, who havent been able to match the moxie and production Williams provided at the position since the big man retired after the 2010 season. "Pat was a physical guy. He liked to slam guys. I watched him a lot," said Joseph, who finalized a five-year contract with the Vikings on Wednesday. Williams was picked for three Pro Bowls in his six seasons with the Vikings. They allowed the fewest yards rushing in the league for three straight years in that span, 2006 through 2008, and the oversized, popular, colorful Williams had much to do with that. "He wanted to show that hes an all-time great. He had something to prove from where he started to where he finished," Joseph said, adding: "He was just loved around here. And I want to be the same way." Joseph started 46 of 48 games for the New York Giants while averaging 55 tackles and three sacks over the last three seasons and won a Super Bowl with them, too. The 25-year-old was a second-round draft pick in 2010 out of East Carolina. He grew up in Florida after his family moved from the Virgin Islands. The Giants made him an offer, but he said "it was nowhere near" what the Vikings gave him. According to ESPN, Josephs deal has a maximum value of $31.5 million. Oakland and Atlanta also were interested. But Minnesota was his first choice. Joseph said he sees playing for new Vikings coach Mike Zimmer like his experience with the Giants and Tom Coughlin, another noted hard-nosed NFL head coach. "I can tell hes straightforward and hes defensive-minded and he wants to win," Joseph said of Zimmer. The Vikings also finalized one-year contracts on Wednesday with middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley and offensive lineman Joe Berger. Given the new deal they gave Everson Griffen this week and the extension they handed Brian Robison last year, the Vikings have secured three of the starting front four with contracts valuing more than $100 million combined at maximum worth. Those three will account for close to 15 per cent of the $133 million salary cap in 2014. They might not spending money on the line, either. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Vikings have not publicized any visits by free agents yet, former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton will be at Winter Park on Thursday to meet with team officials. Melton made the Pro Bowl with six sacks in 2012, but he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the third game of last season. Lance Alworth Jersey . But sometimes the way you lose takes precedence over the final score. And how the Jets lost the 5-4 game to the New York Islanders on Thursday is what had Coach Claude Noel hot after the game. Jerry Tillery Jersey . The Blue Jays lost to the New York Yankees 3-1 Tuesday night, their seventh defeat in 10 games. Rasmus was put on the 15-day DL on May 15 because of a sore right hamstring. Hes hitting .222 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs. http://www.cheapchargersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-ladainian-tomlinson-jersey . "Rob brings a wealth of coaching experience, having worked both in Canada and overseas in player development," Canada Soccer technical director Tony Fonseca said in a release. Easton Stick Jersey . Thats how the Ravens won when Ryan was their defensive co-ordinator from 2005-08, and that is precisely the formula Baltimore used to beat Ryans New York Jets on Sunday. Drue Tranquill Jersey . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring.Michael Saunders used to daydream about playing for the Toronto Blue Jays.It wont be long before he gets to do it in real life.A day after Toronto acquired the Canadian outfielder in a deal with the Seattle Mariners, Saunders spoke about getting the opportunity to ply his trade on home soil.I think it was more of a storybook ending for me if you would, like One day it would be really cool if I was able to wear a Blue Jays uniform, Saunders said on a conference call Thursday. Theres 30 teams and the chances are slim that that would actually happen.Im honoured to be able to wear a Blue Jay uniform and Im very proud of that.The Victoria native, who spent 10 years with the Seattle organization, played for Canada at the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and said he understands the burden that comes with playing north of the border.Im a proud Canadian, said the 28-year-old, who cheered for the Blue Jays and Mariners growing up. If I was to get traded to a team I couldnt pick a better one than Toronto.Im extremely excited to play for the Blue Jays, but its not just about representing the Blue Jays, its about representing my country.Saunders, who was acquired for left-hander J.A. Happ, said he was at his daughters swimming lesson when he found out about the trade from Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik.I was sitting there watching my daughter swim when I got the call, said Saunders. Last night was kind of a blur for me. There were so many mixed emotions. This is my first time going through a situation like this.Its expected Saunders will take over in left field for Melky Cabrera, who declined the Blue Jays US$15.3-million qualifying offer last month and is a free agent.An 11th round pick of Seattle back in 2004, Saunders said he spoke with both Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons soon after the deal was struck.I definitely got the feeling that I was wanted, said Saunders. Theyre just going to go out and let me play. I know that theres some talented outfielders in the organization and thats not to say Alex is finished making moves.But Im going to do everything I can to hold down the everyday left field job.Saunders hit .273 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 78 games last season while battling joint inflammation in his right shoulder and a strained left oblique.If you play the game hard sometimes you put yourself at risk to injure yourself by trying to make the play, he said. You do that for the team.dddddddddddd Youre playing for the team at that point, and the fans.While hes happy to be joining Toronto, Saunders doesnt leave Seattle on the best terms after Zduriencik criticized his ability to stay healthy for 162 games following the 2014 campaign.The comments came as a surprise. Im not going to lie to you, said Saunders. Im very confident in what I do in the off-season to prepare my body. I think the comments might have come out of frustration more than anything due to the fact we were one game away from going to the playoffs.Jack and I have had numerous conversations since then and there have been no hard feelings, but as far as calling my conditioning into question, (its) something I think is uncalled for. I work just as hard as anybody.In parts of six seasons, Saunders has a .231 average with 51 home runs, 182 RBIs and 54 stolen bases in 553 games, only becoming an everyday player at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field in 2012.I really think you learn more from failure than you do from success, he said. I know what I bring to the table and I try to continually get better at that. I just try to bring an all around game and do whatever I can to help the team win.Saunders has played well at Rogers Centre — a stadium known for its home runs — but he said joining Torontos potent lineup that includes Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Reyes and newly acquired Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin is what excites him the most.You have multiple all-stars, you have MVP finalists and guys that really know how to hit, he said. Theres certain people in the game that strike fear in you when youre on the opposing team, and theres a couple different guys in that lineup that do that.I think the first thing you see when you think of the Blue Jays is the power thats there. Theres no question theres a ton of power in the lineup, but not only that, theres professional hitters from 1 to 9.Saunders said he would always check the schedule to see when Seattle was coming to Toronto and added that his wife, Jessica, is also pleased about the move.I love the city, my wife loves the city. It was funny, when we first met we were discussing where to raise the kids and she said Absolutely not in Canada. Were raising them in the U.S., said Saunders. Then she came to visit me when we were on the road and she said OK, Ill let you raise the kids in one spot in Canada and thats Toronto. 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