Vikings Now Have National Recognition

The Vikings did more than defeat the Cowboys Sunday. Despite being the #2 seed, the Vikings did not received National Recognition for their amazing 2009-2010 season. Maybe it's because of last year's loss to Philly at home, but many national experts picked Dallas.

With the Cowboys handily dispatched, the next big obstacle is New Orleans, the #1 seed. But back to the Vikings, do you know how big that trouncing of Dallas was? Well, it is big enough that SI.com's Peter King has named 2 Vikings as players of the week:

1. Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota
2. Ray Edwards, DE, Minnesota

That's national recognition and you can read his reasons those picks and a big about #4 at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/01/17/mmqb/3.html.

New Vikings Make Purple Magic with 2 Seconds Left

It's amazing to win at virtually the last second of the game. What's more amazing about today's Vikings win is that the winning touchdown pass was thrown and caught by two Vikings that were not Vikings a month ago. Now, both are Vikings and Vikings history.

Besides both joining Minnesota in September, both Viking newbies spent last season on the East Coast. Brett Farve arrived in Minnesota on Sept 18 (after being in New York last year) and Greg Lewis was signed on Sept 10 (Lewis was cut by New England after being traded from Philadelphia).

Now both will be Vikings together for recorded history. Captured are Brett's scrambling as time runs out with his throw to the right of the endzone and with him is Greg's reaching out around the defender placing the left and right foot just in bounds.

The newspaper might say "Farve Saves Day with 2 Seconds Left" but Brett has it absolutely right: He did not do it alone. The headline should be "Farve and Lewis Save Day with 2 Seconds Left."

The best part is that it was another team effort. Week 3 is another week in this team's journey as a team. That's the real Purple Magic.

Vikings Stay on Track Versus Detroit

Today, the Lions jumped out to a 10 to 0 lead over the Vikings. This provided a little surprise to score-watcher (ticker-lookers?) but the Vikings were not fazed. To some degree, it was like a car in Winter: it look a little to warm up.

And the Vikings did. With 27 answered and umatched points, the Vikings rallied back from a deficit to dominate the Lions.

All numbers aside, let's focus on 2: Two and Zero. While the Packers were watching Ocho Cinco perform a Lambeau Leap (commentary - A Packer fan motioned an obscenity so his hand is being blurred out. I think the media should blur out the entire idiot as he deserves no airtime), the Vikings were running over Detroit.

It's early but so far, the Vikings are right on schedule. Peterson continues to run well, Brett continues to develop and learn his teammates (an unimpressive 155 passing yards but an impressive 23 of 27 with 2 TDs), Percy Harvin gets the ball 7 times for a total of 55 yards and 1 touchdown, and the defense holds the Lions to 13 points. A nice tidy game.

Next, Minnesota hosts the 49ers who are also 2-0. This provides a nice solid test for the Vikings and a reason to cheer for the sold-out stadium full of fans.

A New Era for Vikings? Nope, It's Game On for AD!

Yesterday the Vikings went to Cleveland and returned home with a solid 34-20 victory. Some may call this the first game of the Brett Farve era. Others might call this the first game of the Percy Harvin era.

Adrian Peterson made it clear that this is neither. This is another year in the Adrian Peterson era. Yes, Adrian Peterson, the man known as All-Day and AD because he can do it all day, gained 180 yards. My daughter summed up his yardage best calling it "one hundred A D" (eigh-ty). He carried the ball 25 times and carried the Vikings to victory.

If you missed it - don't delay - get to NFL.com now! His 64-yard touchdown was the best play of his career because of how impossible it was. AD's highlights are online at this location: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d812925f8/WK-1-Adrian-Peterson-highlights.

If you're still here, share your thoughts on game 1 of 2009. Is it another AD era? Is #4 leading the Vikes to 44?

Don's Best of Favre Moments

It's early in the Brett Favre era but I wanted to share my "Best of" Thoughts through 2 days:

1. Best quote - If you want to kill someone, today's the day. It won't make the news - Jared Allen (no surprise, he's awesomely humorous!)
   
2. Instant impact - Did you hear about the tornadoes yesterday in Minneapolis? If one hit the Dome, it would be amazing because just one day after signing Brett Favre, there was a almost a touchdown at the Metrodome (buh-dum rimshot)
   
3. Minnesota Stimulus Package - With 3,200 season tickets sold and 11,000 game tickets, move over CARS, we have FAVRE.

What is your best?

The Sky is Falling, Love is a Strange Thing

"It's official. Favre is a Viking." is the text message from MaryAnn at 1:34. My reply showed I was dumbstruck, "What?" I truly believed the Brett Favre story was over; I thought Jason was dead.
It's August 18. It's not Friday the 13th but it sure feel like it. The dead has risen.
If the Vikings want to be talked about, they should be happy. There are fans suddenly vying to see practice video. I'm sure traffic around Winter Park is crazy.
This adds interest to a meaningless preseason game. Now, Chiefs/Vikings is a blockbuster!
For me, I will finally get to find out which QB is expendable.
This helps the best team in the NFC North for now. There is still a long-term problem at QB but no one will talk about that. I think this may haunt Coach Childress but I will enjoy watching until then. What do you think?

Farve's Arrival Exposes the Mistake

The Vikings are very serious about Brett Farve. It's obvious they want a quarterback desperately. Talking to the green number 4 means the Vikings made a mistake.

Which mistake? Well, if Brett shows up in camp, one of three quarterbacks will go and:

1. If Tarvaris Jackon is gone, the Vikings admit they made a mistake making him a contender for the starting job and are ready to let him go.
2. If Sage Rosenfels is gone, the Vikings admit they should not have traded for him.
3. If John David Booty is gone, the Vikings admit that draft choice was a bust.

So Purple, which is it? What's your vote? Results will be posted in Mankato soon!

Just Say Neaux to Favre

Vikings, it's time to say neaux (no) to retired quarterback Brett Favre.

I understand that you might feel the need to improve your quarterback situation but, enough is enough. I completely understand what the New York Jets did last year. But it's not last year. Getting Favre gave the Jets fans hope, sold tickets, sold shirts and jerseys, and showed the players that the Jets management could go for it. All that for a 4th round pick and some money.

Well, it didn't exactly work out. The Jets made a run during the regular season but fell short of the playoffs. Oddly enough, the Vikings, who are acting like they are more desperate than those Jets, had a better year.

I understand those who say that it's time to get a solid quarterback for this team. That is the one missing piece. But Brett Favre is not that piece. Why should things work out better for the Vikings than the Jets? Brett Favre can carry his team but he can also sabotage his team. He is not a mistake-free quarterback. Honestly, the Vikings do not need to take the risk. The current team is very good. Yes, winning requires getting through the window of opportunity. I don't think the window is so small that you need a Favre-crowbar to keep it open. I don't think the current quarterbacks are enough but don't see the need to the Vikings' desperate cry 4 help.

I read Adrian Peterson likes his passion, his leadership. I agree but will say all day long that this is not the time. Brett wants to retire, I say respect his wishes and move on. There are other quarterbacks out there. Go find another person. Bon voyage and good luck!

Bleed on,
Don

Peter King's a Football Fan and the Vikings Look Okay After 2 Games

Today I read Peter King's article, Monday Morning Quarterback. He does a great job of reporting his view. Today he covered Brett Favre's first game as a Jet and had 5 responses to this fan about a preseason game:

From Patrick Alexander, of Chicago: "Not a Jets fan, but even if my team lined up Jesus, Confucious, Lao Tsu, Moses and Mohammed, I wouldn't show up to a lame preseason game.''
Okay. Here are my five responses:

1. I love the anger and the bitterness and the raw feelings. Shows you all care, which I appreciate, and I do appreciate your heavy response.
2. Let's say in four years, when Kobe Bryant is considered one of the 10 best players of all time, he migrates to the Knicks in free agency, and the Knicks play their opening exhibition game at Madison Square Garden against the Wizards. You think there'd be an empty seat in the house? Dream on. That's what this is. Brett Favre, the legend, playing his first game outside of Green Bay after being the sole focus of the sports world for three weeks. I don't care if he plays 14 snaps -- which he did -- or 40. If you're a real Jets fan, and you've got tickets, and you're not out of town, you'd be there.
3. The fans aren't doling out extra money to see this game. They've already paid for the tickets. We're talking about 45,000 season-ticket-holders who chose not to come to the game. They chose to say, "We'll stay home rather than experience one of the great moments in the recent history of our franchise.'' Sorry. I've got a problem with that.
4. And to Steve, the season-ticket-holder from Long Island: It is a crime that you have to pay regular-season prices for these fraudulent games. You are being abused. I sympathize with you. But you've paid for the year, right? The tickets are in your possession, right? You've sat through so dismal days in the Meadowlands in recent years, right? I guess my question is: What's your level of devotion to this team, really, if you won't give up half of a Saturday to see Brett Favre quarterback your team on your home field with tickets you've already paid for, even if it's only for two series? Sorry. I don't get it.
5. I take nothing back.

I love Peter's passion. It's something I don't see from "professionals". I can think of very few who show us they care about the sports they cover. I think of Kevin Harlan and the Viking's play-by-play Paul Allen. I, too, enjoy preseason games. Now I don't like the price because - let's face it - this is not the same as a regular season game. I can see paying to go to cover all those who don't make it but not full price. After all, those vying and trying for a roster spot are not getting regular season money. But I love the passion.

After Two Viking Preseason Games, Hope Lives

I believe in now. Preseason games are hard to gauge. I like to look at the players fighting for a chance, not the score. With that in mind, I think the lopsided score in game 1 should be ignored. That second half showed more of what the Seahawks can do, not what the Vikings cannot. I think the Vikings have a lot to look at and can learn so much from that game. The second game was equally useful in getting true game effort. I have extensive notes for both games but I won't bore you with them. Needless to say, I watched both games and watched the players, the effort, but not really the score.

What's your take? Who's your favorite fan professional?

I'd Do It!

I'd do it! I'd trade away my first round pick next year to make the Super Bowl. That's easy! Not a second of hesitation. Let's do it. Do it now!

Yes, I am listening to the news that Brett Favre has been traded to New York (okay, New Jersey - we all know its the New York Area Jets).

Yes, the Jets made a great deal yesterday. They traded away a 4th round pick for Brett Favre. It's a great trade. It's not a good deal because Brett can still QB. No one knows that! This is a great deal because the New York Area Jets will sell tickets, jerseys, and best of all: hope! And isn't that all we want each year?

Don't you want a chance? Nothing's guaranteed in life - just give me a chance. And I'd trade a 4th rounder for a chance. Any day.

Sceptical? Worried it's a "wasted pick". It's not. If you think the Jets have "thrown away" a pick, what can you get in the 4th round? Here's what the Vikings have received recently:

• 2007 Brian Robison, DE (Texas, 102nd pick)
• 2006 Ray Edwards, DE (Purdue, (127th pick)
• 2005 Ciatrick Fason, RB (Florida, 112nd pick)
• 2004 Nat Dorsey, OT (Georgia Tech, 115th pick)
• 2003 Onterrio Smith, RB (Oregon, 105th pick)
  

I like many of those players but I would give each up (some are already gone) for a Super Bowl appearance. I'd do it. Would you?