Taking to the air: Vikings flying Berrian in for visit

His jet does not get the publicity in NFL circles that Daniel Snyders does, but that doesnt mean Zygi Wilfs wings will not get it done.

The Minnesota Vikings sent Wilfs personal aircraft to California Thursday night to pick up free-agent wide receiver Bernard Berrian, prompting one league insider to suggest a contract is already in place.

Berrian will meet with Vikings officials at the clubs Winter Park, Minn., facility Friday and a huge contract could be finalized before he leaves the building.

Losing Berrian would crush the Bears, who badly hope to retain him, and losing him to a division rival in need of a deep threat to open up an offense led by running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor would be even worse.

There has been some bad blood between the clubs when it comes to player movement in recent years, although the Vikings front office has turned over in part since the checked-box incident involving wide receiver DWayne Bates and the offer sheet Minnesota signed kicker Paul Edinger to in 2003.

Stay tuned because the action could be fast and furious now that free agency is here. The Bears are believed to be anxious to match a contract offer for Berrian to a certain point.