Vikings sign four, waive four

The Minnesota Vikings signed four players who tried out with the team during its rookie minicamp, and they waived four others, the team announced Monday. The Vikings signed Northern Illinois wide receiver Chad Beebe, Southern Illinois cornerback Craig James, UNLV fullback Johnny Stanton and Western Illinois linebacker Brett Taylor. The team waived UTEP long snapper Nick Dooley, Texas wide receiver Armanti Foreman, Tusculum defensive tackle Caushaud Lyons and Auburn fullback Kamryn Pettway. Beebe made 64 receptions for 930 yards and three touchdowns during his career at Northern Illinois. James had two interceptions and had a forced fumble and 37 tackles last season at Southern Illinois after starting his collegiate career at Minnesota. Stanton will be a fullback for the Vikings after playing quarterback at UNLV. He began his college career at Nebraska before transferring to Saddleback College and later to UNLV. Taylor received All-America honors at Western Carolina, an FCS school.