EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Your turn, Josh Freeman. Freeman was named the latest starting quarterback for the scuffling Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday. Freemans second week with the team will culminate on Monday night with him leading the offence against the New York Giants. "It really hasnt been that difficult. Any time you step into a situation where youre the new guy, theres always kind of an awkward getting-to-know-you phase," Freeman said. "But I think that goes back to the character of this organization just from top to bottom: a lot of quality people that are dedicated to winning first and foremost but also being quality human beings off the field. So its been a smooth adjustment." Coach Leslie Frazier also said that Christian Ponder will be the backup, not Matt Cassel, assuming Freeman makes it through the week without problems. "I like the things hes done in his career, along with what hes done since he arrived here with our football team, the time he put in, how well hes adapted to our system," Frazier said. "Hes done enough for us to say we want to give him this opportunity, which is something we had in mind when we acquired him. I think now is the time." Freeman will be the third starter in the last four games for the Vikings (1-4) and the 11th since Daunte Culpeppers season-ending knee injury in 2005. Freeman was cut by Tampa Bay on Oct. 3 and signed by Minnesota to a one-year contract five days later. "Were just going to make plays for whoevers in there and just make it as easy as possible," wide receiver Jerome Simpson said. Freeman started 59 games over four-plus seasons with the Buccaneers. The 25-year-old former first-round draft pick threw for 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2010, his first full season as a starter, but has been up and down since. The Vikings were on the wrong end of one of his best games last year, a 36-17 victory at Minnesota when he passed for 262 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. "The underlying questions Ive been getting from a lot of people: Do I have a chip on my shoulder? Im sure I do," Freeman said. "But I think its more deeply rooted than just the past six months, 12 months." Frazier said he was impressed by Freemans first practice with the team. "From the moment he stepped in the building, he wanted to learn. And the way he handled himself in that practice, it changed my mindset about the possibilities," Frazier said. "We had a timeframe in mind originally but watching what he did from the day he arrived, that cemented it for me that sooner was a possibility." Frazier said he hasnt considered a scenario in which Ponder wouldnt still be on the roster for the rest of the season. Ponder said he wasnt sure about his future here. The trade deadline is Oct. 29. Hes under contract with the Vikings through at least 2014. "I have to figure out whats best for me and everything and for this team. I dont know if thats staying here and going somewhere else," Ponder said. Ponder started the first three games until he broke a rib. Cassel took over and led the Vikings to their only victory. Frazier said he preferred to keep the factors in his decision to put Ponder ahead of Cassel on the depth chart private. The coach also said he had full authority to make Freeman the starter. He acknowledged, though, that owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf and general manager Rick Spielman were consulted. "When youre talking about the quarterback position, which affects your entire franchise, this is not a decision you make alone," Frazier said. Running back Adrian Peterson was missing from practice because of a personal matter. Frazier said he expected him back on Thursday. The coach declined to specify whether his absence was related to the situation in South Dakota regarding his 2-year-old son, who died last week by alleged abuse. A man is in custody in South Dakota. Safety Harrison Smith was also not present for the beginning of practice reporters were allowed to watch. With the game on Monday this week, the Vikings arent required to produce an injury report until Thursday. Smith suffered a turf toe injury to his left foot on Sunday. Frazier said hed provide an update on Thursday. Discount Dolphins Jerseys Online . Orlov, who scored two goals in the game, was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the play. The Flyers scored once on the power play and again with the extra attacker with 65 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. Cheap Dolphins Jerseys China . Masahiro Tanaka has touched down in the United States and the courting of the Rakuten Golden Eagles stud pitcher has begun in earnest by a bevy of MLB teams interested in the Japanese ace. http://www.dolphinscheapjerseys.com/ . - Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has signed with WME-IMG, saying the sports management powerhouse will help maximize the value of my brand. Michael Deiter Jersey . I suppose Sternberg has earned the right to speak out since his Rays, despite one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors at $58 million, are entering the final weekend of the regular season holding down the first Wild Card spot in the American League, one game ahead of Cleveland and two up on Texas. Christian Wilkins Jersey . On Sunday, head coach Patrick Roy said the teams leading scorer will skate at Mondays morning practice and the club will make a decision on his status for Game 6 at that point.NEW YORK -- Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd is talking to the Milwaukee Bucks about a position after losing his bid for front-office power with the Nets, a person with knowledge of the details said Saturday. The Nets denied Kidds request and then told him he was free to talk to other teams about jobs, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official comments were made about the situation. The Bucks then sought and were granted permission to interview Kidd. The news was first reported by the New York Post. Kidd just finished his first season as coach, leading the Nets to a 44-38 record and a second-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat. Its unclear what role the Bucks would be interested in him for, since they have both coach Larry Drew and general manager John Hammond under contract. Kidd is close with new Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, who along with Wes Edens recently bought thhe team for $550 million.dddddddddddd The Nets hired Kidd in June 2013 about a month after he had ended a 19-year playing career. He led the Nets to their greatest NBA success as a player, a pair of NBA Finals appearances, and they retired his number before a preseason game. He also owns a small share of the team and was instrumental in helping convince Kevin Garnett to waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade to Brooklyn along with Paul Pierce last June. But the Nets werent interested in having him atop the basketball operations department that general manager Billy King has led since 2010. Kidd had a rocky beginning to his coaching tenure, getting fined $50,000 for intentionally spilling a drink on the court to delay a game during the Nets 10-21 start. But he won a pair of Eastern Conference coach of the month honours later in the season as Brooklyn surged to a playoff spot. 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