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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 15, 2002
MANKATO, Minn. -- At least one thing hasn't changed since the Vikings arrived at training camp.
No Bryant McKinnie.
The holdout by the No.7 pick created turmoil on and off the field during camp, which ended Wednesday.
The offensive line has been shuffled, and the players union accused the Vikings of colluding with the Chiefs, who haven't signed defensive lineman, Ryan Sims, the player taken at No.6.
McKinnie, a 6-foot-8, 344-pound offensive lineman from Miami, was projected to start at left tackle.
But contract talks have been dormant since McKinnie's agents turned down the club's "final" offer almost two weeks ago.
"We're worried about the guys that are here, not about the guys that aren't," center Matt Birk said.
Without McKinnie, coach Mike Tice and offensive line coach Steve Loney have shifted their personnel. Lewis Kelly, originally slated to start at right tackle, has assumed the left tackle spot. Chris Liwienski shifted from left guard to right tackle for the second straight season, and Everett Lindsay and Corbin Lacina have shared time at left guard.
Birk was one of a few players who tried calling McKinnie.
"He didn't call me back," Birk said. "I just wanted to see where he was at and make him realize some things. I support every player, the chance or right to get as much money as he can. But I just wanted to make sure he wasn't getting bad advice."
Ben Dogra, one of McKinnie's agents, didn't return a phone call seeking comment.
Tuesday, the Vikings, who now will practice in Minnesota, were informed that the players union was seeking information on whether the team worked in collusion with Kansas City in their negotiations with McKinnie and Sims.
Rob Brzezinski, vice president of football operations for the Vikings, called the accusations ridiculous, saying the team has offered McKinnie a fair contract.
UPSET DOLPHINS: Miami is upset its flagship radio station didn't broadcast the preseason opener because of a conflict with a Florida Marlins game.
Both teams said their contract with the station, WQAM-AM, allowed them to take precedence.
The station switched its broadcast of the Dolphins' game Monday at Tampa Bay to another AM station with a smaller audience, WAXY.
"We're baffled by the turn of events," said Harvey Greene, Miami's vice president of media relations. "Our contract is crystal clear. There's no ambiguity about it."
But the Marlins' contract with the station gives them precedence over a Dolphins preseason game, said P.J. Loyello, Marlins vice president of communications and broadcasting.
WQAM general manager Greg Reed didn't return phone calls.
There's another potential conflict Aug.24, when the Dolphins play a preseason game at Houston, and the Marlins play at San Diego. The teams are discussing the situation with station officials.
BOND SET: Bond was set at $250,000 for one of two defendants accused of making a racially motivated attack against Falcons rookie running back T.J. Duckett. The second defendant remained at large.
EX-COWBOY SENTENCED: Former Dallas lineman Nate Newton received 30 months in prison after being caught with 175 pounds of marijuana in December.
Newton, who faces similar charges in Louisiana, pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.