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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have taken another one of their priority free agents off the market before it opens, agreeing to terms on a five-year contract with defensive end Everson Griffen that features $20 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $42. Utah Jazz Shirts .5 million. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press on Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent announced the deal. The NFL free-agent signing period starts Tuesday. The Vikings also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, according to another person with direct knowledge of that deal who spoke to the AP on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent confirmed the agreement. Brinkley played for the Arizona Cardinals last season. Two days ago, the Vikings reached a two-year deal with quarterback Matt Cassel worth as much as $10 million. The 26-year-old Griffen, a fourth-round draft pick from USC in 2010, has an opening to become a full-time player with the departure of four-time All-Pro Jared Allen, who will officially become a free agent on Tuesday and wont be re-signed. Allen and Brian Robison have been the starting defensive ends for almost Griffens entire NFL career, though he has seen extensive action as a situational pass rusher and on special teams. Griffen is getting paid more for his potential at a critical position in this pass-driven league than for actual production. He had 5 1/2 sacks last season, down from eight in 2012. But he has the speed and athleticism to become a force if he can continue to develop, after making major strides in maturity in overcoming some off-the-field struggles including the sudden death of his mother in 2012. Brinkley rebounded from a serious knee injury in 2007 at South Carolina to be drafted in the fifth round by the Vikings in 2009. After missing the entire 2011 season following major hip surgery, Brinkley bounced back again to become a first-time NFL starter in 2012. He hit free agency the next year and signed with the Cardinals. Brinkley played in 15 games last season and started when Pro Bowl pick Darryl Washington served a suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy, but the Cardinals cut him last month to create more space under their salary cap. So hes used to playing under this type of prove-it circumstance. "They let me know the jobs wide open and its not going to be handed to anybody," Brinkley said. "Everybody has an equal opportunity to earn that spot." As the depth chart currently stands, prior to the actual opening of the free agent market and of course the draft, Brinkley will be in competition with Audie Cole for the starting middle linebacker spot. In the "Tampa Two" defence the Vikings used to use, linebackers had deep drops in zone pass coverage and Brinkley was sometimes exploited. Brinkleys skill set ought to better fit the scheme under new coach Mike Zimmer. "Minnesota has always been home for me. It has a significant place in my heart. I was raised on the frozen tundra," Brinkley said in a phone interview with the AP, foreshadowing the wintry conditions the Vikings could experience late this year at the University of Minnesotas outdoor stadium while their replacement for the Metrodome is under construction. From former Cincinnati cornerback Johnathan Joseph, a fellow South Carolina alumnus, Brinkley received a favourable report of Zimmer, who was Josephs defensive co-ordinator with the Bengals. "Hes a defensive guy. Hes a straight shooter. Hes going to tell you how it is. He does magical things with his defensive guys," Brinkley said. Stitched Jazz Jerseys .Y. - Urijah Faber walked out on a Madison Square Garden stage in a Wes Welker jersey, the UFCs fun nod to that other "super" show this weekend. Rickey Green Jersey . Scott scored a career-high 30 points, Jeff Teague added 28 and the Hawks rallied to beat the New York Knicks 107-98 on Saturday night. "We were down Paul, down so many bodies," Scott said. https://www.cheapjazzonline.com/ . Paul George and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and Roy Hibbert added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (9-3), who won their third straight.New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jonathan Holmes scored 17 of his 19 points in a lopsided second half as No. 10 Texas upended Iowa 71-57 in a 2K Classic semifinal at Madison Square Garden. Texas outscored the Hawkeyes 47-27 after halftime and will play California on Friday night for the events title. Isaiah Taylor chipped in 15 points, Javan Felix added 11 and the Longhorns (3-0) held Iowa to 29.6 percent shooting. Aaron White scored a game-high 23 points for the Hawkeyes (2-1), though 14 came at the foul line. Iowa jumped out to a 13-2 lead less than five minutes in thanks to the Longhorns missing five of their first six shots and turning the ball over on three straight possessions. The Hawkeyes took a 30-24 advantage into the locker room, but Texas turned things around quickly. Holmes scored eight ppoints in the first two minutes alone, then made a 3- pointer shortly afterward that gave the Longhorns a 39-37 lead. Jazz Jerseys 2020. Though the Hawkeyes never led again, they did pull even at 43-43 before a 13-0 run by Texas turned the tide for good. Holmes scored five points during the six-plus minute stretch, and Taylor netted the final four. With under six minutes to play, Felix beat the shot clock with a straightaway 3-pointer to give Texas a 63-48 lead, and it was smooth sailing for the Big 12 representatives from there. Game Notes Iowa outscored Texas at the free throw line 21-11 ... Texas assisted on only 10 of its 27 field goals ... Both programs won their opening two games of the season by an average of over 30 points ... These teams had split four previous meetings. ' ' '