Vikes Sign Pinkston

The Vikings made another roster addition with Brad Childress ties Friday, agreeing to terms with wide receiver Todd Pinkston to a one-year deal.

The Brad Childress circle of influence continues to help shape how he forms his team. When it was clear Daunte Culpepper was out of the picture, he signed Mike McMahon, a quarterback who knew his system. Over draft weekend, he swung a deal to get guard Artis Hicks. After the draft, when the Eagles were kicking themselves for not getting wide receiver Hank Baskett, a deal was stuck and the Vikings got Eagles WR Billy McMullen. When the team gave up on McMahon, it brought in Brooks Bollinger -- who has ties from Childress' days at Wisconsin.

So it should come as no surprise that the Vikes agreed to a one-year deal with Todd Pinkston, who almost assuredly is guaranteed a roster spot despite not playing a down of practice or in a game situation.

In his first five seasons in the NFL, Pinkston started 62 of 78 games, catching 184 passes for 2,816 yards and 14 touchdowns. He missed the 2005 season with a torn right Achilles tendon. He was sidelined and subsequently cut by the Eagles due in large part to troubles with both Achilles tendons.

He passed a team physical Friday and the team is expected to make an official announcement as part of cuts Saturday.

SATURDAY NOTES
* The signing of Pinkston could spell the end of the Vikings career of McMullen. The breakdown of the 53-man roster likely includes five wide receivers. Troy Williamson, Marcus Robinson, Travis Taylor and Pinkston are four of those five. McMullen and Jason Carter are vying for the last spot. But, the willingness to be a special teams return man may be enough to keep Carter on the final roster -- meaning one Eagle could bump out another for the final wide receiver roster spot.
* Dovonte Edwards is expected to miss six weeks with a broken right arm. There is some question whether the coaching staff believes the team is better suited putting Edwards on injured reserve or sucking it up for a month or more knowing that, when he returns, he would be the Vikings' nickel corner and a starter if Fred Smoot or Antoine Winfield went down. He is likely headed for the physically unable to perform list.
* Former Vikings assistant Scott Linehan showed some class Friday by announcing 13 cuts early -- giving those players cut a longer look for other teams. Among the cuts was former Vikings draftee Deandre Eiland.