| Matt
Birk
Scout.com Headlines: |
Sullivan credits Birk for mentoring
John Sullivan spent a year on the sidelines watching and learning, and he had a helpful mentor.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Mar 13, 2009 |
Attention turns to replacing Birk
The Vikings need to find a replacement for Matt Birk, and that could come from within.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Mar 6, 2009 |
Commentary: Vikings too late with Birk
The Vikings will be missing a Pro Bowl player and an even better person.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Mar 5, 2009 |
Lurtsema’s Reaction: Losing Birk, Cutler 
Bob Lurtsema weighs in on the Vikings losing Matt Birk and the rumors of pursuing Jay Cutler.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Mar 5, 2009 |
Birk becomes a Raven
The Minnesota Vikings will have to find a replacement for Matt Birk.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Mar 4, 2009 |
C Matt Birk: Birk Decision Coming Soon?
-by ScoutNFLNetwork.com
Mar 3, 2009 |
Birk a finalist for NFL Man of the Year
Center Matt Birk is being recognized for his off-field activities once again.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jan 16, 2009 |
Help Wanted: Part III
In the final part of "Help Wanted," Adam Beilman says the Bills should upgrade at center...
-by BuffaloFootballReport.com
Jan 9, 2009 |
Notebook: Coaching staff to stay intact?
Brad Childress updated things with the coaching staff and with some of his free agents.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jan 8, 2009 |
Vikings react to Philly's blitzing nature
The Vikings have been spending the week looking for clues on how to read Jim Johnson’s blitzes.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jan 3, 2009 |
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Ht: 6-4
Wt: 309
| Date of Birth: |
07/23/1976 |
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| Biography: |
After two years in a backup role in most of the positions along the offensive line, Birk got his shot at a starting spot and became a Pro Bowl center in his first season starting (2000). He was named to the Pro Bowl team again in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
How Acquired: Drafted by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 1998 draft.
Injury History: Missed all of 2005 season with a hip injury. Missed four games and five starts in 2004 with hip and sports hernia injuries.
Contract Status: Vikings Contract Chart
Career Stats: FoxSports.com Player Page
2007: Earned his sixth Pro Bowl berth, matching Mick Tingelhoff for most Pro Bowls by a Vikings center. Named the Vikings Man of the Year for the sixth year in a row. Finished the season with 107 career starts at center and was part of an offensive line that helped the Vikings set a franchise mark with 2,634 rushing yards and a team-record 5.33 yards per carry in 2007. Has helped pave the way for four of the five top single-season rushing performances in team history – Robert Smith’s 1,521 yards in 2000, Adrian Peterson’s 1,341 in 2007, Michael Bennett’s 1,296 in 2002 and Chester Taylor’s 1,214 in 2006. Was part of Peterson’s NFL-record 296-yard rushing performance against San Diego on Nov. 4, 2007 and part of Peterson and Taylor setting the team record for most combined rushing yards in a single season.
2006: Returned from surgery and regained his dominant form, starting all 16 games at center and earning his fifth Pro Bowl selection. Was named the team’s 2006 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award and improved his career mark to having 27 runners top 100 yards in his 91 career starts.
2005: Missed the entire 2005 season with a hip injury that required surgery before the start of the 2005 regular season. He was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 29.
2004: The unquestioned leader of the offensive line, Birk’s streak of consecutive games played ended at 67 after he gave way to another sports hernia operation. He missed four games but was still selected to the Pro Bowl.
2003: Named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his NFL career and second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. Anchored an offensive line that had the same five starters all 16 games, and helped pave the way for the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack.
2002: Started his third straight season opener against Chicago and started every game at center, leading the Vikings to the NFL’s top-rated rushing attack, a team-record 26 rushing touchdowns and was an integral part of Michael Bennett’s 1,296-yard season.
2001: Named to the All-Madden team for the second consecutive year and started all 16 games.
2000: Named Pro Bowler and All-Madden player for the first time in his career.
1999: Was one of the primary backups for the three interior positions on the offensive line. Saw action in 17 games but didn’t start any, mainly because of an unusually healthy season for the starters.
1998: Began his journey to the starting ranks when the Vikings drafted him in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. During his rookie year, he was deactivated |
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