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 $42.5 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. Wholesale Shoes Black Friday . His stated reason for abruptly resigning as head coach of Canadas Olympic womens hockey team was he felt there were doubts about his ability to coach the team to Olympic gold in February. 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The Buffalo Sabres, who were knocked down to the second overall pick after finishing with the worst regular season record, are expected to take the other generational player in Jack Eichel.MELBOURNE, Australia - An agitated Roger Federer spat out the question that Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova easily could have asked the players who pushed them to the limits in the second round of the Australian Open.Do you have to be that close? Federer snapped at a TV cameraman hovering nearby as he received medical advice after losing a set on Wednesday.For Nadal and Sharapova, the nuisance was coming from the lowly-ranked qualifiers across the net.Nadal was taken to five agonizing sets by No. 112-ranked Tim Smyczek, who even did him a sporting favour in the last game of a 4-hour, 12-minute night match. Sharapova needed to save two match points before prevailing 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 over fellow Russian Alexandra Panova, ranked No. 150.After his 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-5 win, Nadal dropped to his knees on the court, clasping his hands in a prayer-like pose.The 14-time Grand Slam champion has played some epic matches on Rod Laver Arena, including the 5-hour, 53-minute final he lost to Novak Djokovic in 2012, his championship win against Federer in 2009 and a myriad of painful encounters over the years.The third-seeded Nadal came into the first major of the season after playing just four tournaments since Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury and appendix surgery. Midway through the third set Wednsday, he needed medication for stomach cramps.At the end of the first set, I start to feel my body very bad, very tired ... I was worrying crazy, he said. Then when I was serving for the third, almost throw up. So was terrible feeling.I was suffering a lot. Too much. Obviously is a very positive thing that finally I have the chance to win, but, yeah, I hope to recover myself.Nadal made uncharacteristic errors and had seven double-faults, including one when he faced break point while serving for the third set.Smyczek was competing shot-for-shot, belying his experience of just eight Grand Slam tournaments and no previous wins against a top 10 opponent. He twice led by a seet.ddddddddddddBut Nadal, who at times was doubled over in pain and resting his hands and head on his racket, hung on until he broke Smyczeks serve in the 11th game of the fifth set.When a spectator screamed out as Nadal tossed the ball for his serve at 30-0 in the last game, Smyczek insisted the Spaniard replay the serve — a gesture later acknowledged with high praise. Nadal won the replayed point, earning triple match point. Smyczek saved those three, but couldnt break after taking the game to deuce.I want to congratulate Tim — hes a real gentleman, Nadal said. What he did at the end of the fifth is just amazing. ... Hes a great example what he did today.Federer was troubled by a sore right pinkie finger, an injury he couldnt diagnose or explain, but rallied to beat Simone Bolelli 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the third round along with three-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray, No. 7 Tomas Berdych and No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov.It felt like a bee stung me. I was like, This cant be possible — I never had this pain before. It was disturbing me, Federer, a four-time Australian Open champion, said. I knew that to tape it wasnt an option.Seven of the mens seeded players lost, with 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis beating No. 20 David Goffin and Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios — who was a wild card ranked No. 144 when he beat Nadal in the fourth round at Wimbledon last year — defeating No. 23 Ivo Karlovic in a four sets.Sharapova made 51 unforced errors but kept swinging right to the end and is the only Grand Slam winner in her half of the draw. She next plays No. 31 Zarina Diyas.I was one point away twice today from being out of the tournament, Sharapova said. I think she played a pretty inspired match.Seventh-seeded Eugenie Bouchard, who reached the semifinals or better at three of the four majors in 2014, needed just 54 minutes to beat Kiki Bertens 6-0, 6-3 and is the biggest threat to Sharapova in the bottom half of the draw. ' ' '