MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have pledged to make Kyle Rudolph a larger part of their offence for, well, his whole career. Now this enhanced role is almost inevitable: Hes carrying 15 fewer pounds this season and playing for a lot more money. "Its an honour to know that they have the faith in me and the trust in me to instil that value in me, and Im going to do everything I can to go out on the field and perform at that level," Rudolph said between practices on Monday, after signing a five-year contract extension the night before. He added: "I want to be the best tight end in the NFL, and thats why I go out every day to work the way that I do." The Vikings were enamoured enough with the soft-handed, slender Rudolph that they drafted him out of Notre Dame in the second round in 2011 despite a nasty injury, a torn right hamstring, that he was still recovering from at the time. Rudolph won the Most Valuable Player award at the Pro Bowl after the 2012 season, but he has accumulated a modest 1,055 yards and 15 touchdowns over three years in the NFL. Jimmy Graham exceeded both of those totals last season for New Orleans. Rob Gronkowski did the same three years ago for New England. The Vikings have long believed the 6-foot-6 Rudolph, who used a better off-season diet to start training camp at a lean weight of 258, can become that featured receiver who can catch passes all over the field, in addition to being a go-to target in the end zone. "I think hes trying to work the Jimmy Graham deal," close friend and quarterback Christian Ponder said, joking about Rudolphs sleeker look. "He looks good out here, and you can tell hes very polished in what hes doing." Rudolphs new deal has a maximum worth of $40 million. About half of that is practically guaranteed, and his annual average salary will be in the top five of all NFL tight ends. Graham makes the most. "Hes worked as hard as anyone in this organization, and he is getting himself ready to have a great year," offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner said. Rudolph, who missed the last half of last season because of a broken left foot, will be asked to run more routes up the seam between the 20-yard lines this year. Hell likely find himself standing up and split out a lot, rather than the traditional three-point stance for tight ends of the previous generation. With more rules discouraging defensive backs from levying big hits, larger, and faster and stronger athletes continuing to enter the league, and passing attacks become more and more potent, the tight end has flourished into a true skill position. Turner has a history of significant production by tight ends in his scheme, from Antonio Gates in San Diego to Jordan Cameron last year in Turners lone season with Cleveland. From Rudolph to running back Adrian Peterson, the early reviews of Turners system have been raving. "Im sure you guys wrote stories about us being predictable the past seven years. You wont be able to write that story this year," Peterson said. "Thats pretty much all Im saying: You wont be able to do that, because this offence is so versatile." The Vikings invested in Rudolph for reasons beyond the physical attributes, too. Head coach Mike Zimmer called him "a pleaser," whos willing to "buy into everything" the new staff is trying to do with the team. Rudolph said hed keep the same house in the Twin Cities area and continue to drive the same truck, splurging only for philanthropy: to upgraded the weight room at his alma mater, Elder High School in Cincinnati. "Im anticipating that hell continue to flourish," Zimmer said, adding: "Hes a good guy, and I like when good guys get rewarded." NHL Jerseys Sale . Hall joined Bengals teammates for a voluntary workout on Monday. Hes got his mobility back and is on schedule to be ready for the season. CINCINNATI - Bengals cornerback Leon Hall is happy with his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon and expects to be ready for the start of training camp in July. Clearance NHL Jerseys .com) - The Boston Bruins announced Monday that the team has signed goaltender Niklas Svedberg to a one-year contract. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/. Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Keeping The Captain? Brian Giontas agent Steve Bartlett told La Presse on Tuesday that the Montreal Canadiens want to keep their captain - an unrestricted free agent on July 1 - in the fold, while sources tell the paper that the two sides will start talks this week. Custom NHL Jerseys . -- For one night, Nick Calathes provided a big reason to believe the Memphis Grizzlies might be able to withstand the loss of Mike Conley on a short-term basis. NHL Jerseys Outlet .com) - The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Seth Curry on Tuesday.Austin, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Myles Turner scored 19 of his career-high 26 points in the first half to lead No. 9 Texas to a 106-61 win over Lipscomb on Tuesday. Turner also grabbed nine rebounds with six blocks in the lopsided win. Jonathan Holmes and Jordan Barnett added 17 and 11 points, respectively, for the Longhorns (9-1). I was just playing within myself, Turner said of his first half. My teammates have always been telling me to do that. Dont worry about what anybody is saying, just get in the flow of the offense. I feel like I did that tonight. Malcolm Smith tallied 17 points and Josh Williams deposited 13 for the Bisons (4-6). Texas shot 59 percent from the floor in the first half, including 53 percent from beyond the arc, to take a 58-32 lead at the breeak.dddddddddddd Seven players made a 3-pointer for the Longhorns in the opening 20 minutes. Turner knocked down a trey with 13 minutes remaining in the half to give the hosts a 22-12 edge. That basket ignited an 18-6 burst that Turner capped minutes later with a pair of free throws. Kendal Yancys jumper five minutes into the second half pushed the margin to 30, then Demarcus Hollands basket less than 10 minutes later made it a 40- point game as Texas cruised. Game Notes The Longhorns improved to 6-0 at home this season ... Lipscomb had its two- game winning streak snapped ... Holland handed out a game-high eight assists for Texas ... The Bisons were limited to 31 percent shooting ... The Longhorns owned a 38-14 edge in the paint. ' ' '