The Minnesota Vikings want to keep LB Chad Greenway and placed the franchise tag on the potential free agent Monday. "Chad's an important part of our team and his play speaks for itself. He's productive and has continued to improve each year he has been in the NFL," head coach Leslie Frazier told the team's website. "He's a leader for us in the locker room and on the field." Greenway, a first-round pick in 2006, led the team with 144 tackles in 2010. He hasn't missed a game since his rookie year was wiped out by a preseason knee injury. The South Dakota native and Iowa product also has strong personal ties to the region. Keeping Greenway, who is the ninth player league-wide to be franchised, means Minnesota WR Sidney Rice (who was limited by a hip injury in 2010 after a breakout Pro Bowl effort in 2009) and DE Ray Edwards (8 sacks) may be playing elsewhere in 2011. Source: USA Today
