Ray Lewis: NFL Lockout Will Lead to Rise in Crime

The FBI just released it's violent crimes stats and in the United States the number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults dropped 5.5 percent in 2010 compared to 2009.

However, if Ray Lewis' theory is correct, those numbers will be on the rise soon and he's blaming the NFL lockout. The Baltimore Ravens linebacker believes crime will rise if the lockout continues into the season.

"Do this research if we don't have a season -- watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game," Lewis said in an interview with with ESPN's Sal Paolantonio.

Lewis' explaination as to why he thinks crime rates will increase without football, "There's nothing else to do," he said.

Lewis isn't just talking about professional football players getting arrested, he predicts fans will become more violent because the violence they're used to seeing every Sunday will be eliminated.

"There's too many people that live through us, people live through us," Lewis said. "Yeah, walk in the streets, the way I walk the streets, and I'm not talking about the people you see all the time."

While Lewis' theory is interesting, he doesn't have the stats to back it up. However, the opposite perspective -- that football leads to more violence -- does have some legs. In 2009, a study revealed that from 1995-2006 when an NFL game ended in an upset, the home state of the losing team saw a brief uptick in domestic violence.

The NFL lockout is now in its 69th day, and a resolution appears nowhere in sight.

Minnesota Vikings Stadium Debate Likely Headed For Special Session

When the Minnesota Legislature ends its 2011 session on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings will almost certainly not have a new stadium deal in place. However, the Associated Press is reporting a Vikings stadium bill is likely destined for a special session.

The Vikings stadium issue has been put on the back burner due to the state's massive budget deficit. Right now, there's about a $1.8 billion gap in how to resolve that deficit.

Governor Mark Dayton can call a special session and force legislators to stay as long as it takes to get the work done.

The Vikings have offered to contribute $407 million to a $1 billion stadium project in Arden Hills. The team is hoping the state will pick-up $300 million of the project's cost.  

The Minnesota Legislature has until midnight Monday to work out a budget and stadium deal. A special session will be called if they fail to meet that deadline.

The Minnesota Vikings Metrodome lease is set to run out at the end of the 2011 season.

2011 NFL Rumors: Kyle Orton on Minnesota Vikings 'Radar'?

On the same day Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder said it's his goal to be the week one starter for the Vikings, rumors are flying about another quarterback coming to town.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton is "on radar" for the Vikings once the lockout is lifted. Mortensen made the comment via Twitter, but gave no specifics of a possible deal between the two clubs.

Orton, who turns 29 in November, is expected to be in high demand once the lockout ends. By adding Orton to their roster, the Vikings would be able to bring along Ponder at a slower pace.

Otron is expected to battle Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn for the starting job in Denver this season. Orton is set to make $8.8 million next season and will be entering the final year of his contract.

Orton has spent six seasons in the NFL, including the last two with the Broncos. He spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears. In 2010, Orton started 13 games for the Broncos before being replaced by Tebow. He finished the season with 3,653 yards passing, 20 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.

Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Christian Ponder dishes on going #12, the criticism, the lockout and his ex-girlfriend

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has a goal to be the team's week one starter when the Vikings travel to San Diego. During an interview with ESPN's Colin Cowherd Friday morning, Ponder discussed being the Vikings number one guy, the criticism of him being drafted #12, how the lockout has impacted his off season preparations and his plans to organize practices with his new Vikings teammates. And oh yeah, his ex-girlfriend too.

Below is a transcript of Ponder's responses on the Thundering Herd.

On being drafted #12 by the Minnesota Vikings:

"I wasn't too shocked. With the private conversations I had with my agent, we heard a lot of good things leading up to the week of the draft. Really wasn't sure what was going to happen, but had good idea, and had a good feel of what was going to happen. I was pretty optimistic about it and once I heard my name called at twelve...just excited. I think a lot of people were shocked by it."

On the criticism of him getting picked #12:

"I don't make anything of it. I have my own expectations for myself and the pick happened and I'm going to take full advantage of the opportunity. I know what I can do, I know what my personal feeling is and everything and I think I deserve that pick. And I'm do everything I can to make sure that no one regrets it."

On what made him move up NFL draft boards:

"I think throughout the whole process I really took advantage of each opportunity I was given, starting with the Senior Bowl. Went out and had the MVP of the game, and the whole week went well for me. Did well at the Combine, did really well at the interviews at the Combine and the private workouts and I think I really connected with all the coaching staff that came down to Florida State during a private workout after the Combine. I think the whole thing went well...and I was really comfortable with the guys. Whatever I did, obviously they liked it and I felt good about it."

On his level of concern about learning the playbook, missing OTAs -- due to the lockout:

"I can't be concerned about it, it is what it is I can't change it. But I'm taking full advantage of the opportunities right now, talking to a lot of the guys, we're setting up practices in the next couple of weeks to get together and go over stuff and put in some work. I know a lot of other teams have already gotten started, so we're kind of behind the eight ball, but I'm doing everything I can to prepare myself. My mindset is that I'm going to start by week one and do everything possible to make sure that I'll be successful against San Diego that first week."

On playing for the Vikings and not being forced to be a superstar his rookie season:

"I really don't, supporting cast around me makes my job a lot easier and it takes a lot of pressure off of me. I stepping into such a great situation and a lot of the quarterbacks that I know, that have gone to teams that are kind of rebuilding everything. I begin an opportunity where it's a team that can compete and a lot of great pieces around me and it makes me excited. Also, again, it takes a lot of pressure off me to perform. I just gotta get the ball to these guys let them do the dirty work."

On working out with teammates in Florida:

"Yeah, that's the plan. The plan is to get a bunch of guys over in Tampa. After this rookie premiere deal this week I'm heading to Bradenton, which is just south of Tampa to train and we've already talked about meeting in Tampa to get things going and working out together and get that chemistry going."

On being a high profile NFL quarterback (including pictures of your girlfriend popping up on the Internet):

"Boy, it's crazy. The worst part about it, it's actually my ex-girlfriend. There's a blog that put out this big story about her being my girlfriend, and then like, we broke up a couple of days before that and so I don't know. It's a crazy mess. Every thing's under a microscope and every move that you make is judged and not whole lot of private life, I mean, it just comes with the territory. But, it's going to be something to try and enjoy."