Greenway talks contracts, Favre; says Vikings feel like they’re the best

This coming season marks the final year of Chad Greenway’s contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Mount Vernon native signed his rookie deal after being drafted in the first round — No. 17 overall — of the 2006 NFL Draft and will be an unrestricted free agent when the Vikings’ 2010 season comes to an end.

But the former University of Iowa star isn’t thinking about that right now.

“It’s one of those necessary evils,” Greenway said Thursday following the first day of his fourth-annual dual sports camp at Mitchell High School. “You have to do it, not now though. I have a full year left on my contract and I’m going to honor that and do what I need to do. I wouldn’t be a South Dakotan if I didn’t honor my word that way.

“At the same time, obviously, I want what I’ve earned and what I deserve and, eventually, I think that will happen.”

Greenway led the Vikings with 99 tackles last season and had three interceptions. The 27-year-old is the starting strongside linebacker and plays beside middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and weakside linebacker Ben Leber, who was born in Vermillion.

The Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship game a year ago before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in a classic overtime game in the Big Easy. Greenway said the expectations inside the Vikings’ locker room have increased even more for the 2010 season.

“We feel like we’re the best team in the NFL,” Greenway said. “But, in sports, the best team doesn’t always win. You have to play it out. We just have to be better on that day and put ourselves in that position to have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs this season.”

The Vikings return nearly their entire starting offense and defense from a season ago. Though, Greenway did mention the losses of running back Chester Taylor, who now resides in the Chicago Bears’ backfield, and offensive lineman Artis Hicks, who is now a Washington Redskin, as important holes to fill.

Another position the Vikings may need to address — or maybe not — will be quarterback. With Brett Favre having not decided whether to come back for a 20th NFL season yet, Greenway said he isn’t worried about it.

“I have talked to him, but I know he’s going through some things,” Greenway said. “Obviously, we’d love to have him back, I love having him on the squad and we want him back.

“He’s been a great teammate for us.”

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