It's the Playoffs - who do the Vikings want to play?

There is nothing better than the NFL Playoffs. OK, so maybe the NFL Playoffs aren't quite as exciting as the Insight Bowl, but they are pretty good.

The NFL is intense for 17 weeks and then it gets taken to a whole new level. 12 teams are allowed to participate in the ultimate game of texas hold em. Now they put all of their chips into the center of the table and it's win big or go home. There may not be a team in the playoffs that is more "all in" than the Vikings. With Bret Favre, his aging arm and his cavalier attitude holding the cards what is the path of least resistance for the Vikings.

The Second Round Contestants - Philadelphia and obviously New Orleans are off the table, so that leaves Green Bay, Arizona or Dallas as potential opponents. With the way they have all been playing I'm not thrilled about any of these opponents but we can't get two week's worth of byes so let's take a look.

Arizona - anyone remember Week 13? Anyone remember the Cardinal's run through the NFC last year? Their passing attack scares me and while I believe they are beatable in the Dome, I'd rather not see it.

Green Bay - I've never bought into the adage that it's tough to beat a team three times in the same season. I believe if you go 2-0 against a team you did it for a reason, you're better than they are. I think we can beat them but I'll wait until the NFC Championship game.

Dallas - I know they are incredibly hot and probably the most dangerous team of the wild card weekend. But this is the team I want to play. Mostly it is for the big picture. I think New Orleans would be ready for the Cowboys this time around and I don't want a home game for the NFC Championship game. I want to face the Cowboys and I want the Packers to beat Arizona and then handle the Saints. This is our best shot at hosting the NFC title game. We play great at home.

Bring on whoever but I think I'd prefer to see the Cowboys.

Fire Brad Childress and best available NFL Head Coches

I have not been updating due to lack of time but I wanted to get the list started of potential replacements for Brad the red hot Childress pepper. Gonzo, over at The Daily Norseman has written his open letter to BTRHCP ripping his Kick Ass Offense and pleading with him to get this coaching thing figured out (or better yet, get out).

And that's why I, alone in my thought process though I may be, refuse to throw Tarvaris Jackson under the proverbial bus at this point in time. It's clear that Jackson has talent. . .he's mobile, he's got a strong arm, and he appears to be a relatively bright guy. All of that stuff leads me to ask myself how much better he could be if he wasn't hamstrung by one of the most inept offenses I've ever had the displeasure to witness. Let the guy loose and let him make plays. We heard all off-season about his improvement and his progress. . .let him prove it on the field.

Don't get me wrong, Mr. Childress. . .I love my team. I always have. It's been a 25-year love affair with myself and the Minnesota Vikings, and even your ineptitude isn't going to be enough to change that. Therein lies the only small joy that I can derive from this. Either things will change and the team will get things turned around. . .or you'll continue to waste the immense talent that you've been surrounded with over your time in Minnesota, and you'll be standing in the unemployment line shortly after Week 17. In any event, it's a win-win situation for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans.

Mike Tice was fired by Zygi Wilf, and he accomplished far, far more with far, far less than you've been given in your time as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. At this point, I would be more than happy to welcome ol' Meathead and his pencil back to the Minnesota sidelines in your stead.

Gonzo is absolutely correct in his assesment. Tice accomplished more with less. Jackson has been bad but he really hasn't been given an opportunity to succeed because the playcalling has been painfuly vanilla (not to mention his bandaid for an offensive line).

I have always been very patient with the head coaches of my favorite teams. I am usually the last to jump on the fire (Tice, Mason, Monson) bandwagon. But as of today, 9/16/08, I am officially ready for a new head coach. It was a good run for Childress and I appreciate how he has brought a culture of accountability to the team. I wish him the best but hopefully he won't end up in a drug treatment program.

The Vikings are not perfect but show me an NFL who hasn't received a negative headline. At the very least we are no longer the poster child for out of control NFL players. But that isn't winning football games.

We have a dominant defense and arguably the best running back in the NFL. The more time we waste with Childress the faster this window closes. Bring in someone new, now. There is still plenty of season left and most importantly plenty of time to establish himself and let the current veterans know that they are going to win and they'll do it in Minnesota. If Brad is the head coach heading into 2009 you will see many of the defensive veterans jump ship to a contender because they know they are wasting their time here.

The problem is I wouldn't want to waste 2008 by dumping Childress, letting Leslie Frazier play interim then going through a drawn out search in the offseason. If we can't upgrade now, then stick with status quo. But here are a few guys who I think would be an instant upgrade who are also long term solutions.

1. Brian Billick
Status - available now, working for FOX
Resume - won a Superbowl with dominant defense, power run game and an average QB

I would be thrilled to see Billick walk through the doors of Winter Park. He is tough, he is smart and he has won. Billick was known as an offensive guru who struggled to put together a great offense to match his great defenses in Baltimore. But he was able to get it together enough with Trent Dilfer and Jamal Lewis to win a Super Bowl in 2000. Obviously he has the blueprint to win with the current Vikings roster. This is a no brainer in my opinion and would be a slam dunk. Billick was the mastermind behind the 1998 offense which is the second most prolific in NFL history. The 2008 Vikings will never be confused with that offense, but imagine Jackson and Peterson in an offense with some creativity where they will actually call plays to take advantages of mismatches with the defense. These guys are like loose diamonds. In the right setting they'll be fantastic!

This would send a message to the fan base and your current group of veterans that you are serious about winning and winning now. Mr. Wilf has opened his checkbook to bring in the necessary parts but his mechanic can't put them together so it works.

2. Marty Schottenheimer
Status - available now, working for ESPN
Resume - racks up wins and more wins, knows how to utilize the run game to the max

Marty would also be a great hire. I know he "can't get to the Super Bowl" but in 21 seasons as a head coach he has had just two losing seasons and a .613 win %. Schottenheimer also knows a thing or two about winning with a dominant rushing offense and a great defense. He knows how to win. You can give me the argument that he is incapable of winning in the playoffs. But I'll counter by saying I think Childress is incapable of getting us to the playoffs. Let's worry about getting to the Super Bowl after we win a division and make the playoffs. The lack of a Super Bowl after dominating several regular season is the reason I put Marty second to Billick, but why not give the guy who can't win the big one a chance with the team known for not being able to win the big one. Maybe in some crazy chaos theory we can prove that this equation would equate to a Super Bowl.

One concern with hiring Schottenheimer is that he will be 65 years old in a week. But he does have a strong set of coaching connections that could provide a smooth transition when he is done as the Vikings one and only Super Bowl winning coach.

3. Bill Cowher
Status - available now, working for CBS
Resume - Super Bowl Champ, understands power running game

Cowher is young, he is as tough as they come and he'll get this team motivated to win immediately. Does anyone reading this doubt that Cowher could win with the 2008 Vikings roster? He did step down and one could question whether or not he wants to coach again. But maybe challenge of bringing Minnesota their first championship would be a worthy goal to step back onto the sidelines. Again, he is a coach who has won with defense and a power running game. He isn't going to have to reinvent himself to win with this roster and he could have immediate success. I'm not sure what Cowher would do for the develpment of Jackson but I'm certain he could get this offense into the end zone without the help of the Kick Ass Offense.

----------

There you have three outstanding choices for head coach who have a history of winning in the NFL. This list will grow as guys like Herm Edwards lose their job. If I told you that you could instantly upgrade at QB, we'd all be for it. I am telling you that you can instantly upgrade your head coach, I encourage Mr. Wilf to do so. I realize that this would have a negative affect on the 2008 season. There would be some major adjustments, changing the playbook, current coaches looking for jobs while still trying to coach the Vikes. But if you take a look ahead there is a very strong chance that we will be sitting at 0-5 or 1-4 through five games. The schedule then lightens up and includes a bye week over the next 12 weeks. Things are going to continue as they do now with a boring and unproductive offense that loses close games. Why not shake things up now, maybe we lose the next couple weeks because of adjustments but I guarantee you final 10/11 weeks you will see a different team on the field.

Ziggy can wait and let this play out. But deep down we all know how this season is going to play out. We will limp into the bye week with two or three wins at best. We will surge for a few weeks and get back into the playoff conversation only to lose a key game or two down the stretch and miss the playoffs.

Don't wait till the offseason when we are competing for Billick, Schottenheimer or Cowher and your vets have already packed their bags. Pull the trigger now and do what is best for this team now AND the future. Firing Childress two weeks into the season may seem rash and may tank the 2008 season. But with Childress wearing the headset we all know this team is looking at finishing somewhere between epic underachievers and just good enough to get an mid-round draft pick. The only thing worse than firing Brad Childress after 34 career games is letting him coach a 35th.

Love to hear it...

I have no problem a little trash talking. Many players and teams are too afraid to ruffle feathers or on the other side of the spectrum are so freaking sensitive (ooohhh, they said they are going to beat us, they give us no respect, booohoooo).

But the Vikings defensive line isn't shying away from giving the Packers some locker room material.

Pat Williams - “Damn, that’s their problem,” Williams said. “They’re going through all that as a team, trying to figure out if Favre or [Aaron] Rodgers was the man, while we’ve got the same team we had all offseason. I’m glad they got all that darn press, ‘cause when we go down there it’ll be the kid’s first start and his first damn loss.”

Jared Allen - "Hopefully, I can put my helmet square in the back of [Rodgers’] spine,” Allen said. “If I can do that and knock the ball loose, it’ll be a good day.”

Handing Rogers his first NFL loss and interceptions one, two and three on his way to catching Favre's record, now that would be a good day.

Hitler is tired of Brett Favre Saga

Personally, I still love this whole drama. It is a Win, Win, Win for Vikings fans.

WIN #1 - Favre ends up in purple.

I know this is considered a loss by many, but if you are able to step back at all and look at this objectively, there can be no doubt Brett Favre gives us a better chance to win more games than Jackson. I'll enjoy watching Jackson this year and am intrigued by what he brings, but if Favre actually gives us a shot at the Super Bowl I'll take that 100 out of 100 times. Not wanting Favre because we hate him is childish. You think Green Bay fans would have rejected Randy Moss because he torched the Pack on several occasions and mooned them in a playoff game? No, because when sober they understand how much he can help their football team. It is all about winning and if you hate Green Bay, watching Favre beat his hold team (TWICE) would be so much fun to watch.

WIN #2 - Favre stays in Green Bay as Roger's backup

This is going to be a total circus in Green Bay and is guaranteed to divide their fan base and more importantly their locker room. Favre in Green Bay has high potential to fracture their season.

WIN #3 - Favre is the starter in Green Bay

They'll win more games, but I would bet a fair amount that Favre starting right away will push Rogers over the edge and he'll get out of town ASAP. So 2008 may be good for Green Bay but with Rogers gone their 2009 QB situation is VERY bleak.

Anyway, the point of hte post is the video below. This Hitler clip has been used an awful lot for humor purposes and this one is relevant. Enjoy...

Let's take some weight off Jackson's shoulders.

(ed note: I know this blog is often difficult to gauge the level of sarcasm and realness. My most recent post was clearly tongue in cheek, while the post you are about to read is meant to be serious)

The national consensus is that the Vikings will only be as good as their marginally mediocre quarterback will take them. While there is clearly some truth to this theory I don't think the equation is as simple as if Jackson has a good year we are going to the Super Bowl. There are so many other questions that this team has to answer. The did a phenomenal job in the offseason trying to answer these questions but they will remain questions until they are actually answered.

I am looking forward to this season as much as anyone, but there was more to an 8-8 season than just Tarvaris Jackson.

First of all it should be noted that Jackson was 8-2 as a starter in 2007. He was not very good last year finishing right behind Cleo Lemon in QB Rating and had a higher interception % than Rex Grossman. His numbers were bad yet he was 8-2 as a starter. An .800 win% is clearly misleading but on the surface it does give the impression that he can be average and we can still win.

Jackson improving dramatically and becoming the leader in the huddle is important but I'm here to argue it is not the only question this team still has to answer before we can book our rooms in Tampa.

1. We are the reigning NFL's worst pass defense (2 years running). Are we going to be able to stop the pass?

We added arguably the league's best pass rusher to speed up the decision making of opposing quarterbacks (too bad we can't play Eli every week). We also added a safety known for coverage skills. But is this enough? Four of our first six games are against teams who pass the ball well.

• @ Green Bay - 2nd in NFL in passing (although Favre leaving may help)
• Indianapolis - 6th in NFL
• @ New Orleans - 3rd in NFL
• Detroit - 9th in NFL

If these games turn into shootouts our passing game won't be able to keep up no matter how well Jackson plays. And all signs point to Dallas being the NFC team to beat, if we can't slow down the Romo/Owens train we don't stand a chance.

2. Our offensive line has little depth, especially if McKinnie is suspended. Is our offensive line good enough?

Is anyone convinced that Ryan Cook and Anthony Herrera are good enough to hold down the right side of the line? Hutchinson is great and I believe that Birk will regain his Pro Bowl form. Herrera is getting some hype locally as a more than adequate RG, but our tackle situation concerns me. Cook has yet to show he is a capable RT and McKinnie is his own mountain of question marks. IF he is suspended then we get to see Chase Johnson move from backup LT to starting (props to anyone who can tell me anything about Johnson off the top of their head).

Even if McKinnie is allowed to play 16 games, for my money he is one of the most overrated LT in the game. I was not shocked to hear that Jared Allen was able to speed rush McKinnie and get around the corner with some ease. With no depth and no experienced RT, is anyone else concerned about the offensive line? It is good but there are some concerns and unanswered questions.

3. Even if Jackson makes better decisions and develops as we hope he will, do we have the receivers for our passing game to be a threat?

Bernard Berrian was added in the offseason and it was a good move by the organization to get the best available receiver to strengthen a weakness. But we still don't have an established #1 WR and we don't even have a proven "good" #2. We are excited about Rice's potential and Berrian has speed to get behind the defense, but nothing is a given with these guys. If they are unable to get open for Jackson or have trouble hanging on to the ball, it won't matter how accurate TJax is.

4. Injuries can derail a season faster than Peterson will get to 2,000 yards. But if Purple Jesus gets injured can this team be considered more than a wild card team?

This offense becomes very average and Chris Kluwe quickly becomes the most important player not on defense if Peterson goes down for any extended period of time. I don't want to dwell on this because I'll have nightmares tonight, but injuries have been in his history. Chester is a great backup and we'll continue on the same path but that would put a Super Bowl hopes in serious jeopardy.



I never want to be the negative nancy of the group, so let me put a positive spin on this. We can win with Jackson and we can win if Jackson is only average. The point is he is not the ONLY question mark we have. Everyone seems to assume we have everything else answered outside of our quarterback. If we don't stop the pass and if our offensive line struggles, it won't matter how good Jackson is.

This has the potential to be an historic season for the Vikings and I can't wait to go for a ride on the bandwagon. I am excited about the new additions and I have downed enough Kool-Aid to think Jackson will surpass everyone's expectations. But I cringe when the entire season is put on his shoulders. Maybe I'm wrong (it's happened before), but this team is not guaranteed of anything and has more to prove than just QB play.

Spoiler Alert - 2008 Vikings Season

Before training camp officially gets going let me go game by game and lay out for you how the season will play out for the Vikes.

Week 1 - @Green Bay - the emotional retiring of Brett Favre's jersey will be short lived. After Aaron Rogers throws three first half interceptions and completes just 2 other passes for 7 yards, they will take down #4 and he'll enter the game for the second half. Favre will make it close but the Vikings win. Also, it's a little known fact that Brad the Red Hot Childress Pepper is 4-0 when he has 2 weeks or more to prepare for a game.

Vikings 1-0

Week 2 - Indianapolis - not even I can foresee a win here. This team is very capable of beating Indy at home, but allow me to be realistic for a moment. Manning lights up the secondary, everyone believes this year will be more of the same and the bandwagon gets light. Peterson is the key to this game. Should he get some holes and run for 175, then there is no reason we can't win this. But we will be underdogs in our home opener.

Vikings 1-1

Week 3 - Carolina - The Panthers will get about 18 yards rushing and if we can slow down Steve Smith we win this one. But their run game is weak, their OLine is bad and their QB is average. Carolina's D is solid as their LBs and Secondary are top 10 in the league, plus you have Julius Peppers on the line. This will be a good test for Jackson to show he can play at this level and lead us to a win.

Vikings 2-1

Week 4 - @Tennessee - Vince Young's are the only thing that worry me here. Tennessee finished hot last year winning 4 of their last 5 before losing to San Diego in the playoffs. While they probably should, the really don't scare me. Behind a great defensive line are solid but not great second level defenders. This again will be a game for Jackson to show he is worth Childress's faith.

Vikings 3-1

Week 5 - @New Orleans - If the Saint's offense is clicking this will be a high scoring affair. New Orleans is a bottom 10 defense imo even with Jonothan Vilma being added. This will be the best chance for the Vikings offense to show some success. After this game I think we can adequately evaluate where Jackson is. So much of the spotlight is on Jackson and he'll be unfairly judged immediately. But I am a patient person, I encourage both of my readers to wait till now before we judge him. Anyway, Vikings win this road game and hurt Reggie Bush in the process.

Vikings 4-1

Week 6 - Detroit - Worst defense in the league last year and second worst running game. Kitna will be throwing to a great receiving corp, but we should be better defending the pass. This will be the first cushioned win of the season. We win and we win big.

Vikings 5-1

Week 7 - @Chicago - heading into the bye on the divisional road. The problem here will be us scoring then having to kick off. It will go something like Vikings +7, Hester scores on ensuing kick off (EVEN). Vikings score (+7), Hester returns kick off (EVEN). Vikings score (+7), Hester pulls a hammy and we go on to win by 28.

Vikings 6-1

Week 8 - BYE - time for a well deserved rest as we push for home field.

Week 9 - Houston - guaranteed win based on when you give BtRHCP two weeks he will put together an unbeatable game plan. Houston in the Dome doesn't really scare me, they were OK last year and didn't do anything to improve this offseason. Defense was bottom third, team was last in very tough division and they will likely remain there. This is a W.

Vikings 7-1

Week 10 - Green Bay - should be a challenging home game, but remember Brett Favre in his early years playing at the Dome? Expect that from Aaron Rogers. My personal prediction is that Favre is starting this game (for the Packers, NOT the Vikings) but the purple momentum is just too much to stop at this point.

Vikings 8-1

Week 11 - @Tampa Bay - Our first road game in a month and it is against a 2007 playoff team. But the Buccanneers were fortunate last year and will be one of the bigger NFC flops this year. The Tampa defense will provide a unique challenge as I think they match up very well against the Vikings. They have a solid LB corp which will challenge our run game, and they led the NFL in pass defense last year. But nothing about their offense scares me and the Vikes will win a low scoring game.

Vikings 9-1

Week 12 - @Jacksonville - This will be out most difficult game of the year. Both teams sport a top 10 defense and a very good running game. Our running game might be better but their offense is more experienced as a whole. Their offseason addition of Troy Williamson should be enough for me to pick the Vikings but I just don't see a W here.

Vikings 9-2

Week 13 - Chicago - back at home and taking on the Bears. By this game Caleb Hanie will probably be starting under center and handing off to Garrett Wolfe. This begins a nice portion of the schedule that should allow us to rattle off a few wins. The Bears are hard to figure this year but this should be a nice game to come home to and we pull this one off on national TV.

Vikings 10-2

Week 14 - @Detroit - see, I told you this was a nice little stretch in the schedule. I never have any respect for Detroit. Last year in Detroit they needed four INTs and a missed FG to beat us in OT. Even if they have delusions of a winning season, the Vikes will stomp at that dream this week.

Vikings 11-2

Week 15 - @Arizona - The Cardinal wide receives do scare me. But their OL, RB and QB do not. This game will be a Jared Allen special. Don't even worry about the run and just get to the QB on every play. Assuming some heat on whoever is QBing for Arizona the Vikings win this road game. It isn't very often we get a trip to the desert in December, so the team will be in great spirits and ready to roll.

Vikings 12-2

Week 16 - Atlanta - another team that is a mess and will be more of one in week 16. Nothing about Atlanta scares me. Peterson got his first NFL TD against the Falcons and he'll get 2 or 3 more here. I hope we win this game by 64 points. I still hate the Falcons and any retribution (no matter how meaningless) makes me feel better.

Vikings 13-2

Week 17 - New York Giants - We will even rest our starters and win this game at home. Eli Manning has always been our bitch and will continue to be so. The Giants will be fighting for a final playoff spot this week but they will be no match for the Vikings D as we do what we can to keep momentum going into the post season.

Vikings 14-2

I know that 14-2 is a little conservative and leaves room for the Cowboys to sneak into homefield, but as you know I look at every game with an unbiased eye and am compelled to give my honest evaluation.

To Favre or Not to Favre - that is the question

For those of you who check in for my daily postings you may have noticed that I have yet to comment on the Favre Saga. I have gone around on this issue and had landed squarely on it will never happen. But the news today of Favre forcing the Packers to make a decision by requesting an unconditional release.

This is a brilliant saga to watch unfold. The Packers are sitting in an absolute lose-lose situation. That, first and foremost is what I enjoy seeing the most. Best case scenario they release Favre and he has a better season than Aaron Rogers with any team. Packers' front office looks terrible. Worst case they keep Favre have a mildly successful season but miss the Super Bowl. Another year of stunting Rogers' growth and there is every reason to believe he would force the Packers to make a move with him.

While I want to see the demise of the Packers, I'm more concerned about the success of the Vikings. So what does this mean for the Purple.

When news first surface that Favre was possibly rumored to potentially think about maybe coming out of retirement I wasn't too interested. Quickly Peter King thought it would make sense for Favre to wear Purple, then I was intrigued but not interested. Not only was I not interested but my initial reaction was that we don't want him and I convinced myself we also don't need him.

The more I sit on this and the more it becomes a possibility that he could end up playing 8+ games in the Dome, the more I am coming around on this.

FIRST and foremost, the chances of Favre wearing purple in Week 1 are thin for a myriad of reasons.

1 - The Packers just cannot let that happen. It would be bad if Favre left and went to the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. But if he takes the Vikings, a division rival, to the Super Bowl it would be incredibly embarrassing and people might lose their jobs in Green Bay.

2 - I really believe that Brad Childress would not want him.

• 2A - Jackson is Childress' guy. He has put his reputation on him and I get the feeling he wants to prove that he was right.
  
• 2B - Favre takes a lot of chances his QB style is exactly what Childress is trying to teach TJax NOT to do.
  
• 2C - Chilli is big on what message is he sending. And the message he is sending to "his guy" is that you are not good enough to get it done.

3 - Who knows if Brett wants to be here. He has been around long enough to know what playing for a team like Minnesota or Chicago would do to his reputation and legacy.

So I really will be SHOCKED if Favre becomes a Viking. I think he wants the Pack to bring him back and this is his way to force that issue.

But knowing it is a much longer shot than your national pundits are making it out to be, lets discuss Brett Favre as a Viking. In the last 24 hours I have changed my position. I want to see Favre in purple.

IF you have a problem with this because we hate the Packers and we hate Brett Favre. How can we want to see the face of our most hated rival on our team? To this I have to say GET OVER IT. If (and I think this is a big IF) Favre can lead our team to the Super Bowl it would mean nothing less to me. If you honestly believe that you would enjoy it less, you are absolutely kidding yourself.

IF you are OK with Favre but you think, we could have a long term future with Jackson. Wouldn't this one year experiment stunt his growth and shatter his confidence? I like TJax and I can buy this argument, but it has two fatal flaws.

1. Jackson has done nothing to prove that he has a long term future in this league. We are excited about his potential based on two quarters at Denver and the information being disseminated to us out of Winter Park this offseason. Maybe he is more confident and maybe he's ready to take the next step, but MAYBE HE'S NOT. The likelihood of him throwing more INTs than TDs is just as likely (probably more) than him having a monster turnaround. I am excited for Jackson's future, I really am, but Favre is a much more quantifiable entity and you are kidding yourself if don't think he gives us a better chance to win NOW.
2. This is a win now league. And as I just stated above Favre gives us a better chance to win NOW.
   

IF Jackson were more of a sure thing then you don't sacrifice his future for a 1 year window with Favre, but Jackson might be the one piece that keeps us from the Super Bowl this year. I like his future but you have to roll the dice with Favre.

IF Favre is out there we can't let him go elsewhere. Don't let him go to Chicago. Don't let him go to Tampa. Letting him go elsewhere and succeed would be a massive swing and miss.

IF, IF, IF Favre gets his unconditional release the Vikings absolutely have to do what it takes to get him on their roster. John David Booty will have to give up his jersey and then we can all book our hotels in Tampa.

Finally, this needs to be done because as much as some of us may not want to see Favre in purple, what this would do to Packer fans is indescribable. They would put on a brave front and try to spin this somehow. But their team was 13-3 a year ago, went to the NFC Championship game, LET BRETT FAVRE GO and he wins it all with their rival. They can spin that however they want, but Favre finally gets to a team good enough to win the Super Bowl cause the 2008 Packers are not good enough to get it done!

Duante Culpepper's Summer To Do List...

1 - Turn down a 1 yr, $1,000,000 offer to play for the Packers


2 - Set a World Record on Madden 2002 (yes, that is the one on which Culpepper graced the cover)


3 - Call up my buddy Smoot to go boating on the lake sometime! (waiting for a call back)


4 - Try to find a job. (eh, he's still got time to work this one out, what's the hurry?)

Dr. Z Drinks the Kool-Aid

Clearly the most brilliant NFL mind amounst the nation media Dr. Z (of Sports Illustrated) is obviously drunk on the Purple Kool Aid and has picked the Vikings to win the Super Bowl.

Why would he pick the Vikings who have been a playoff team once in the last seven year?

1 - They run the ball, they stop the run.

"Their middle triangle of tackles Kevin and Pat Williams, backed up by E.J. Henderson, is classic, and now there's a serious element added to that mix."

The serious element he refers to is Jared Allen.

2 - Improved pass defense.

Pass rush begets pass defense, which begets better statistics than the Vikings had last year, one of their big failings. They finished last in yards allowed. Where's the fix there? Madieu Williams, an active free safety for the Bengals last year. Charlie Gordon, a good, quick, free-agent cornerback.

3 - Some sophomore running back named Adrian Peterson

I get the feeling that I haven't convinced anybody yet. How about the league's flashiest runner in '07, Adrian Peterson, working behind, arguably, the best run blocking left side of the line in the NFL, Bryant McKinnie and Steve Hutchinson?

4-Basically a gut feeling...

Well, could this be the year that Tarvaris Jackson takes the Vikings the whole way, under a coach who can do everything for the position except throw the ball? I kind of think so. There's a storybook angle here, older coach, young quarterback, as the troops rally round.

So en fin, do I like the Vikings to go all the way? Well, yeah, why not? A feeling of destiny, that's what I sense about Brad Childress and his baby quarterback.

I'll be honest with you here. I drink more Kool Aid than anyone I know. I have this dangling dream that this will be a special year for the Vikings. But not even I am willing to...

What the hell,

I couldn't agree more. Dominant Defense, Best Running Back ever to hit the field and a QB who will shock the world. All of that equals the first of many Super Championships for Brad Childress and his Minnesota Vikings!

This year is going to be FUN.

Did we give up too much for Allen?

If you look at the 2007 draft here is "who" we gave up for Jared Allen.

#17 - DE - Jarvis Moss (Den) - finished season with 12 tackles and 1.0 sack
#73 - WR - Jacoby Jones (Hou) - 15 receptions, 149 yds and 0 TDs
#82 - DT - DeMarcus Tyler (KC) - 11 tackles and 0.0 sacks

Grand total? 23 tackles, 1.0 sack, 15 receptions and 0 TDs. Still think we gave up too much for Jared Allen?

Lets look at the 2006 Draft just for fun...

#17 - LB - Chad Greenway (Min) - Greenway missed his rookie season with an injury but had a very productive second season as we all know. 105 tackles, 2 INTs and 1 TD
#73 - DT - Dusty Dvoracek (Chi) - two career tackles in one game played, missed basically all of 2007 with injury.
#82 - WR - Derek Hagan (Mia) - career stats of 50 receptions, 594 yds and 3 TDs.

Even if you take the 2006 draft group which includes a decent WR and a good LB, still think we gave up too much for Allen?