Kevin Williams News

Nov 11, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee fumbles the ball as he is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium.

The Minnesota Vikings will open their organized team activities on Thursday, June 13, providing additional opportunities for the front office to assess incoming rookies and returning players vying for a roster spot.

The Vikings have found several regular players on its roster after the draft, including Ring of Honor member John Randle and former Gopher Marcus Sherels.

The Minnesota Vikings have long had a strong defensive line to spearhead their defense, and in recent years defensive end Jared Allen and defensive tackle Kevin Williams have been the leaders of that group.

OCTOBER 28: Kenechi Udeze #95 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Kevin Williams #93 during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on October 28, 2007 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings have a unique situation with their core group of defensive lineman, with Jared Allen , Kevin Williams , Brian Robison , Everson Griffen and Fred Evans all entering the final year of their contracts.

You were constantly confronted with the ugly realities of an ugly business, from ownership and management infighting to angry and sometimes felonious players.

Jared Allen has entered the final season of his mega contract without any guarantee from the Minnesota Vikings of an extension.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison laughs after making a tackle during Organized Team Activities practice at Winter Park in Eden Prairie Wednesday June 5, 2013.

The Minnesota Vikings ' have a long and storied history complemented by plenty of success, perhaps as much as any franchise that has yet to claim that elusive Super Bowl.

Kevin Williams is still with the Minnesota Vikings, 10 years after they made him the ninth overall pick in the NFL draft.

In an eight part series, I will take a look at the opponents that the Ravens will face in the 2013 season.

While the first two names are drawing all the headlines, the latter is flying under the radar.

Kevin Williams is asked what he tells the young players who now surround him on the Vikings' defensive line, what counsel he gives the men who might one day line up to replace him.

Tuesday's SportsNation chat included a completely random discussion about the state of defensive lines in the NFC North.

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings headed into the 2012 season coming off a 3-13 record and set to navigate the eighth-most difficult strength of schedule in the NFL .

Sep 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew gains 4 yards past Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams in the third quarter at the Metrodome.

Without a contract extension, Jared Allen will most likely be saying goodbye to the Minnesota Vikings after the 2013 season.

Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen against the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome.

The Vikings stuck with its board and selected Everett Dawkins with its third pick of the seventh round and last selection of the entire 2013 draft.