Staff
Sam Ekstrom
Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.
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Vikings
Everson Griffen Returns “In Good Spirits”
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 24, 2018
After being away from the Minnesota Vikings for over a month as he addressed his mental health, Everson Griffen returned this week and will participate in practice […]
Vikings
SECOND LOOK: Interior Line, LBs and Waynes Help Shut Down Jets Run
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 22, 2018
For 41 straight games the Minnesota Vikings had Linval Joseph anchoring the trenches, causing many to fret over how the Vikings run defense would fare against a […]
Vikings
FOOTBALL MACHINE POSTGAME: Vikings Win 37-17 Despite Mounting Injuries
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 22, 2018
Sam Ekstrom goes over every major talking point from Minnesota’s big win over the New York Jets: the takeaways, the batted balls, the wind, Thielen, Murray, injuries, […]
Vikings
ROAD REACTION: 4 Ups, 4 Downs From Vikings Win Over Jets
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 21, 2018
The Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1) have recaptured first place in the division, jumping over the idle Packers (3-2-1) and the suddenly scuffling Bears (3-3), who lost 38-31 to […]
Vikings
PREDICTION: Vikings @ Jets
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 21, 2018
As the cliche in the NFL goes, it’s not who you play but when you play them. Two weeks ago, the prospect of the Minnesota Vikings playing […]
Vikings
NOTEBOOK: Jaleel Johnson Heads Home, Thielen vs Nickerson, Final Injury Report
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 19, 2018
Jaleel Johnson grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. on the other side of the Hudson River, less than two hours from where MetLife Stadium now sits. Though he […]
Vikings
Mike Zimmer on His Impaired Vision: “It Won’t Get Any Better”
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 19, 2018
Nearly two years from the night Mike Zimmer scratched his retina during a game against the Chicago Bears, the coach’s vision remains impaired in his right eye […]
Vikings
One Who Was Traded, and the One That Got Away: Richardson and Cousins Face the Jets
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 18, 2018
Kirk Cousins is not a former New York Jet. He is, in fact, a former quarterback for the Washington Redskins. But you wouldn’t know if by some […]
Vikings
Danielle Hunter Two Games from Duplicating Griffen’s Sack Streak
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 17, 2018
Having already matched last year’s sack total through six games, Danielle Hunter is on track for a career year following his lucrative offseason contract extension. Not only […]
Vikings
SECOND LOOK: Dissecting Minnesota’s Five Long Runs
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 16, 2018
The Minnesota Vikings delivered the rushing performance they desperately needed on Sunday, touting the ball for 195 yards against a porous Arizona Cardinals defense. Minnesota finished with […]
Vikings
As ACL Rehabs Evolve, Mike Hughes Faces Less Daunting Task Than He Once Might Have
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 15, 2018
For the second straight season, the Minnesota Vikings first selection in the draft will have his rookie season cut short due to a left ACL tear. Head […]
FOOTBALL MACHINE POSTGAME: Sam Ekstrom’s Takeaways From the Vikings 27-17 Win
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 15, 2018
Zone Coverage’s Sam Ekstrom discusses Minnesota’s stifling defense and three big offensive storylines from the Vikings second straight win — 27-17 over the Arizona Cardinals. Music by […]