much to the Minnesota Vikings revolving door at quarterback

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kyle Rudolph hasnt put up the biggest numbers over the first three years of his career, which is due as much to the Minnesota Vikings revolving door at quarterback as anything else. The Vikings have known all along what they have in Rudolph, a big, field-stretching tight end who can be a difference-maker in the right offence with the right quarterback. So now theyre paying him like one. Rudolph signed a five-year contract extension with the Vikings on Sunday night, a sign that the team has big plans for Rudolph in new offensive co-ordinator Norv Turners offence. The deal, which was first reported by Fox Sports, is worth $36.5 million with $19.4 million guaranteed. Incentives can push the deal to $40 million. "Im very excited to get this extension done with Kyle," Vikings GM Rick Spielman said. "We drafted him, hes done a tremendous job since hes been here. Our whole focus on moving forward in this organization is to draft our players, develop them and keep them here. Hes one of our young guys who is going to be a building block as we go forward in the future and just very excited to get this behind us so we can look forward to seeing him produce over the coming years." Rudolph missed eight games because of a broken left foot last season. He caught 30 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns last year, but was still named to the Pro Bowl and earned MVP honours in the game. His best season came in 2012, when he caught Rudolph was entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Vikings know what he can do when he is healthy. In 2012, he 53 passes for 493 yards and nine touchdowns, just the kind of production the Vikings envisioned when they drafted him in 2011. Spielman took a little bit of a risk when he made that selection because Rudolph missed the final seven games of his last season at Notre Dame after having surgery to repair a severe hamstring injury. But Rudolph played 31 of 32 games in his first two seasons in the NFL before missing half the season a year ago with his broken foot. "Ive said all along I wanted to stay in Minnesota," Rudolph said. "I love the fans, the community and, most importantly, Im excited about where this team is going. Im looking forward to the 2014 season and helping this organization reach our ultimate goal." Rudolphs production to this point has been somewhat hindered by the Vikings inability to find a consistent quarterback. Rudolphs friend and draft classmate Christian Ponder has failed to live up to expectations and previous offensive co-ordinator Bill Musgrave struggled at times to get Rudolph involved in the passing game. New head coach Mike Zimmer brought in Turner, considered one of the best offensive co-ordinators of his generation, to run the offence. Turner has had success in the past with great tight ends like Jay Novacek in Dallas and Antonio Gates in San Diego, and he has been impressed early in training camp by Rudolph. The Vikings also hope to have a much more stable quarterback situation with veteran Matt Cassel and rookie Teddy Bridgewater competing for the job. "The thing Kyle has done is get up the field and he is running better than he has been in the past," Turner said. "I think he is understanding that we are trying to change his style of running in terms of routes and he is taking to it. I expect him to be a big part of what we do offensively." USA Soccer Gear . You can catch all of the action LIVE on TSN2 at 6pm et/3pm pt. The Heat reached that mark Saturday night when they ruined the Philadelphia 76ers home opener. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . "Hopefully well get all this out of the way," he said, "and everyone will be healthy the rest of the year." Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday and is expected to miss between four to six weeks. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . - Loosening up for their first training camp practice, the Miami Dolphins high-stepped sideways up and down the field while House of Pains song "Jump Around" blared on the loudspeakers. USA Soccer Jerseys China .Y. - Geno Smith still thinks of himself as the New York Jets starting quarterback. USA Soccer Store .Impact president Joey Saputo confirmed Thursday that he is part of a group of investors whose offer to buy the 105-year-old Italian club was accepted by the teams board of directors.LONDON - Crystal Palace caretaker manager Keith Millen was unable to steer his side out of the Premier League relegation zone as the team began life after Neil Warnock with a 0-0 draw at fellow London club Queens Park Rangers.Millen was put in charge of the game at Loftus Road little over 24 hours before kick-off and saw his team put in a hard-working effort, but a lack of quallity at both ends meant neither team was able to carve out a decisive chance.ddddddddddddPalace forward Jason Puncheon went closest when his curling shot hit the post in the first half. QPR had opportunities in the second but Harry Redknapps men failed to secure a fourth consecutive home victory.Palace remained 18th, behind Hull on goal difference. QPR is 15th. ' ' '