Vikes Win! Bring On Philly....

NFC North Champs. It wasn't easy. The Vikes beat the Giants B-squad (who is better than a lot of teams A-squads) 20-19 on a 50-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell. A couple of thoughts on the game:

1. Once again, the game nearly killed me. It's strange being around 63,000 people who are that nervous. The older the person in the crowd, the more their level of apprehension. Hey, we've been here before. The crowd was into the game, but always expected the worst. After the game-winning field goal, there was more of a sigh of relief than a cheer.

2. T-Jack played just well enough to keep him in the running for the starting QB spot in 2009. He continues to make big mistakes (red-zone interception), but seems to bounce back quicker now than in the past.

3. It turns out that the Vikes didn't really need to win, as the Chicago Bears lost to Houston, which effectively eliminated them from the playoffs. It couldn't happen to a classier set of fans. Sorry Chicago!

4. The so-called "road to the Super Bowl" for the Vikings might look like this: Philadelphia, Carolina and New York. Oh.....................boy.

5. Bringing in kicker Ryan Longwell was money well spent. The guy is money.

6. That's all I've got for now. I'm spent.

Jeff

December 28th - Vikes vs. Giants

As I have mentioned, I will be attending the Vikings game today against the Giants with my friend Pete. It's for all the marbles today. The whole shootin' match. The whole Kitten Kaboodle (whatever that is). The Vikes will need all the luck, karma and bounces they can get to win this game today and become NFC North Champions and advance to the playoffs.

That is why I was rather disturbed this morning when I realized the date is December 28th. Thanks to Jim Souhan's article in today's Strib, I learned that this day has not been kind to the Vikings. What exactly has happened?

How about December 28th, 1975? How about the Drew Pearson "push-off," Hail Mary touchdown pass that eliminated the 12-2 Vikings from the Super Bowl. Many consider the 1975 team the most talented in team history, and this catch the lowpoint in Viking history.

How about December 28th, 2003? The Vikes were eliminated on the last play of the game by the vaunted Arizona Cardinals. A last-second touchdown pass to something called Nate Poole not only kept the Vikings from winning the division and making the playoffs, but it handed the division crown to the Green Bay Packers. The next year, Nate Poole was honored (I'm not making this up) by the Packers with a key to the city of Green Bay (insert your own jokes here) before a game.

Well, it's December 28th, 2008. Let's see what today brings for the Minnesota Vikings. Can they reverse the bad karma of 12/28, or will today's outcome be another "chapter in the book?"

I guess we'll see.

Jeff

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I have always loved the Charlie Brown Christmas special. It reminds me of my youth.

I will fully admit that this part, when Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas, still chokes me up after all of these years. Amen, Linus.

And the music from the show is fantasic!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Jeff

It's All Coming Together....

Editors note: Before I write my actual post, I'd like to clarify that I truly believe a team (i.e the Vikings) should "win" their way into the playoffs rather than rely on other teams (i.e the Packers) to beat divisional foes for them. That being said.......

I cheered for the Packers last night. It was odd. Didn't work out too well, either. If the Packers would have beaten the Bears, they could have eliminated Chicago from the playoffs and the Minnesota Vikings would have been crowned NFC North Champions.

Or not.

It went very well for most of the game. The Packers led 14-3 at halftime, and stopped the Bears cold on their first drive of the second half. The Bears were punting to the Packers, and I actually felt pretty good about the outcome. That is when the punt hit a Packers blocker in the back and the Bears recovered. At that point, I remembered that I was watching "football," the most evil of sports and came to my senses. That is also when all hell broke loose and I witnessed a team collapse in such a manner that I haven't seen in, well...............since last Sunday.

Somehow, the Packers absolutely dominated the Bears in every phase of the contest but managed to blow the game and lose in overtime. As time in regulation was expiring, the Packers lined up to kick a 38-yard field goal (keep that yardage in mind) to win the game. A bad vibe came over me that I haven't felt since............well, last Sunday.

The kick was blocked.

This led to overtime. The Bears won the toss, drove down the field, and kicked the winning 38-yard field goal (keep that yardage in mind). 20-17 - Chicago wins. Astonishing.

A couple of things about this game. First, the Bears, down by 7, had a 4th and 1 at the Packers 5-yard line with 3 minutes to play. If the Pack stops them, the game is most likely over. The Bears ran up the middle and were stuffed well behind the first down marker. The Packers were celebrating as announcers were saying "the runner was stopped short." Then, what proceeded was the most incompetent, bordering on criminal, spot of the ball that I have seen in my 40 years of viewing football. The refs, to everyone's amazement, gave Chicago a first down. They went on to score the tying touchdown and the rest is history. It was complete bullshit.

Second. Thanks to tony8489 for pointing this out. Remember how I asked to keep the yardage of those field goals in mind? The Pack had a 38-yard field goal blocked that would have won the game. The Bears then nailed a 38-yard field goal to win the game in overtime. Do you remember a game that was played between the Vikings and Falcons 10 years ago for the right to go to the Super Bowl? Gary Anderson missed (you guessed it) a 38-yarder to seal the game in regulation. Then, in overtime, Falcons kicker Morten Anderson nailed a (you guessed it) 38-yarder to win the game.

Folks, spooky stuff is happening. You think it ain't?

This sets up the Vikings - Giants game next Sunday that I will be attending with Pete (The Weeg). Sure, the Giants won last Sunday to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Does this make me feel better?

No.

This is the perfect set-up for the Vikings to choke against whatever backups the Giants decide to put on the field next Sunday. It's perfect.

Crazy things are going to happen in this game. Don't even try to predict them. What will happen will be so mind-boggling that it will defy reason.

Buckle up.

Jeff

Of Course.

All that the Minnesota Vikings had to do today to become 2008 NFC North Division Champions was beat the Atlanta Falcons. They were at home. They were favored. They were playing against a rookie quarterback. It was a big game.

Of course they lost.

Those of you who thoght the Vikings would win today haven't been paying attention for the last 40 years. You see, it's the 10-year anniversay of the 1998 NFC Championship loss to these same Falcons in this same Dome. For those of you who might not be from around these parts, here is a good Strib article about that game and season. And, for those of you who might not be around these parts and are wondering why Vikes fans are so cynical, these two passages from the aforementioned article sum it up:

For a generation of Vikings fans too young to have experienced the joy of reaching four Super Bowls or the sorrow of losing each one of them,there will always be 1998.It remains, 10 years later, the seminal season for the excitement and discontent of so many. It's the year the Vikings captured and broke the hearts of an entire state, going 15-1 only to be upset by Atlanta 30-27 in the NFC Championship Game at the Metrodome on Jan. 17, 1999.

But, like their forefathers in Purple Pain, today's fan remains a loyal, albeit more cynical, supporter of a team that is back on the doorstep to the playoffs.

AND

Despite the team's late-season surge, a vocal and active e-mailing segment of the Vikings fan base remains cynical and at best skeptical of coach Brad Childress and the team's chances if it makes the playoffs. That's not unusual in a market with this much scar tissue.

"I probably wouldn't say this if I was living in Minnesota," (former Vikings Todd) Steussie said. "But Vikings fans enjoy griping about a loss as much as they do celebrating a win. There's a level of mistrust that's been built in for generations.

"They still want to be fans. But at the same time, they're saying, 'I'm not going to let you guys get my hopes up just to have you burn me again.' "

Radio host Dan Barreiro said right beneath the surface of his callers' discontent is an implied feeling toward the Vikings that, "You guys still owe us, and it won't go away until you win the Super Bowl."

Amen. I am not going to rehash what happened in the latest Falcons fiasco (4 fumbles). Now it's down to the Giants game. They have to win. I will be attending the game with my friend Pete. I really appreciate him inviting me to this big game. I know this - outside of division rivals Green Bay and Chicago, no teams have provided more heartbreak to the Minnesota Vikings than Atlanta and the New York Giants. Well, the Falcons did their part today. The Giants are up next.

What follows next Sunday has the chance to be a part of Vikings lore. In the depths of my soul, I know the Viking-Giants game will be decided by the most shocking, unreal, unspeakable, unfathomable, physics-defying, nerve-wracking, gut-wrenching turn of events not seen in these parts for......at least a few weeks. It will be fun, but it may be hell.

If you have been watching the Vikings long enough, you know what's coming next Sunday. I hope I am wrong.

Jeff

A Few Things On My Mind....

I thought it may be a good time to put a couple of thoughts down on The Blog, as time is becoming short before the holidays. I am wrapping a few gifts this afternoon, which I still can not do very well. Almost to an inept, mentally incompetent level. In fact, as I have stated in the past, I could not wrap a gift well if my life literally depended on it. If a guy put a gun to my head and stated "I will blow your head off unless you wrap this gift so it looks pretty," I would be dead - killed on the spot. But I digress. Here is some stuff that I thought about while wrapping gifts:

1. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Does this guy have "smug ass-hole" written all over himself or what? His haircut just screams "ass-hole." He should be convicted of something just because of that haircut. That is all I have to say about that.

2. Vikings playoff chances. It is down to this: The Vikings play Atlanta and the New York Giants - both at home. The Chicago Bears play the Packers and the Houston Texans. If the Vikings win one game OR the Bears lose one game, the Vikings are NFC North Champions and are guaranteed of a home playoff game. Sounds pretty simple and easy, right? Then why am I so paranoid?

Well, let me tell you. First, the Vikings next opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, provided the Vikings with arguably the worst moment in their history (debatable, because there are many) - the 1998 NFC overtime championship game loss at the dome. Many people feel this loss surpassed even the 1975 "Drew Pearson push-off game," also a NFC Championship game, in "suck-wadness." The mere sight of the Falcons in the Metrodome gives me facial ticks. If the Vikings win on Sunday, it would help exercise some demons from that 1998 fiasco. If they lose, more facial ticks. If they do lose, they would have to beat the New York Giants.

Ahhhh, the New York Giants. Here is another squad that has given the Vikings fits over the years. How about the 41-0 loss to the underdog Giants in (you guessed it) the 2001 NFC Championship game? How about the 4th down-Phil Simms pass to keep a drive alive and eventually beat the Vikes at the buzzer in the Dome in a huge game in the late-80's? There is more, but I can't talk about it any more. The Vikings will have to beat one of these hated foes, and exercise a demon, to advance to the playoffs.

That is, however, unless the Bears lose. Hey Packers - how about doing the Vikes a favor by beating the Bears Monday night? Wouldn't it be great to literally end your fiercest rival's season? (By the way, I'm talking about the Bears here, not the Vikings). That would be nice, but I don't see it happening since the game is in Chicago. I'm also torn on this because I will be attending the Vikings-Giants game at the Dome with Pete on the 28th, and it certainly would be fun if that game meant something. It could also be the perfect set-up for the proverbial OTHER SHOE to drop, and more facial ticks on the drive home from the game. Yeah, I hope the Pack beats the Bears.

3. Wild Slumping. Yes, the Wild managed to beat the hapless Islanders last night 4-1, but there is something wrong with this squad. The lack of scoring is catching up with them. When you remove Brian Rolston, Pavol Demetria, Mark Parrish, etc., from last year's team (who also had trouble scoring) and replace them with more defense, the team is not going to score much. Those 2-1 early-season victories have turned into 2-1 mid-season defeats. It doesn't help, of course, the Marion Gaborik has been out most of the year with a "lower body injury." He's back now, but not at 100%.

Here's the thing. I think Wild fans are starting to get a little frustrated. I believe there was a sense the last couple of years that the Wild were starting to build something special, but have digressed a little this year. I believe the fans are frustrated with the loss of Rolston this year, and have a foreboding sense that this is Marion Gaborik's last year with the team. Two straight first-round playoff losses have not help matters, either. Lastly, I believe the fans are a bit bored with Jacques Lemaire's defensive, trapping style of play.

On the bright side, this is nothing that a few wins wouldn't cure. After all, the Wild have a history of slumping in December and then rebounding after the Holidays. The fan base may be frustrated, but they still show up and they still care, unlike another team in town. And, they still have a great arena, so what the hell.

4. Gophers beat #9th-ranked Louisville. I do believe Tubby has the Gopher basketball program on the right track. Many of you probably remember that Gopher basketball used to be one of the toughest tickets in town, before the scandals. If they keep playing like they did today, those tickets will, once again, be in high demand.

Who said I wasn't a positive guy?

That is all I have right now. Back to wrapping gifts.

Jeff

The Forgotten Quarterback

Nobody saw this coming. After a 1-3 start, the Minnesota Vikings have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games and are on top of the NFC North at 9-5. There have been some bumps along the way. Jared Allen's separated shoulder. The possible suspension of Pat and Kevin Williams. Now, the injury to Pat Williams.

And, of course, the benching of Tarvaris Jackson, the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season. Things were so bad after the first two weeks that head coach Brad Childress declared that 37-year-old journeyman Gus Frerotte would not only start game 3, but that he'd be the starter for the rest of the season. The Vikings started to win games under Frerotte, even though he is basically a statue in the pocket, a stationery target for the defense. Upon further review, it only makes sense that, by week 13, Old Man Frerotte would get injured. He has been hit so many times, he is lucky not to be in traction.

Which brings us back to Tarvaris Jackson, the young, mobile quarterback with the questionable throwing accuracy. I got used to seeing Jackson on the sidelines, hat on backwards, chewing gum, wearing headphones. He looked relatively happy not be be taking those shots that Gus was enduring. When Frerotte was injured against Detroit, however, it was once again Jackson's turn. He entered the game in the second half and calmly guided the Vikings on two touchdown drives and won the game. But that is against Detroit, right? My 6-year old daughter could have guided the Vikes to a couple of scores against the Lions, right ?(sorry Dools) What would happen in Tarvaris actually had to start a game, after the opposing team had a week to plan for him?

Well, the answer to that question came Sunday at Arizona. The Vikings, led by T-Jack, dismantled the Cardinals 35-14 (a possible entry into a parallel universe). Jackson went 11 of 17 for 163 yards with a career-best four touchdown passes and a 135.5 passer rating. Not bad. His mobility also added a dimension to the game that Frerotte could not offer.

I think I owe Jackson an apology. I've said some pretty bad things about his ability to start at quarterback in the National Football League. I've said that he is the second coming of Shaun King. I've said that he is not the smartest bulb on the tree (or something like that). Now, don't get me wrong - I realize that Jackson is not the second coming of Dan Marino. Six quarters does not make a career. And, there were a few factors in his favor that took place in the Arizona game. The Vikings took an early 21-0 lead, which meant T-Jack didn't have to play from behind. In addition, the Vikings running game was excellent, which kept Jackson's passes to a minimum.

However, I give credit to Jackson for, time and again, hitting big third down passes across the middle to keep the clock moving and keep the ball away from the Cardinals. I also give him credit for rallying the Vikings offense each time the Cardinals scored and crept back into the game. The biggest play was his touchdown pass to Bobby Wade after Arizona blocked a field-goal and returned it for a score to make it 28-14. If they go three-and-out after that block, it's a new game.

So, it looks like the Vikes may have a Quarterback controversy on their hands. I'm not sure that they can replace T-Jack right now after he has added a spark to the team. Football is an odd game and it's a long season. No question that the team had to go with Gus when they did, but it may be the time to hand the reigns back to Jackson.

What do you think?

Jeff

Remember When It Used To Snow?

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,just like the ones I used to know

Where the treetops glisten and children listen

to hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,just like the ones I used to know

Where the treetops glisten and children listen

to hear sleigh bells in the snow"

It's December 14th, Christmas is 11 days away and I am looking out my window at......rain. Most of the northern half of Minnesota, however, is expecting anywhere from 6-12 inches of snow today because there is a sharp temperature contrast between here and there. Here in St. Paul, we're getting a cold, wet rain that is washing away the few inches of snow we've received up to this point, revealing dead grass and dirt spots on the lawn where the blow-up swimming pool used to be. Now, the weather terrorists like Paul Douglas (thank you, Dan Barreiro) have been screaming and prognosticating about this storm for the past week, first predicting 3-5 inches of snow for the Cities, then changing it to 1-3, and ending up with "a wintry mix." I have known in my heart all week that there would be no snow. Only cold, wet rain. Just so you know, I happen to like lots of snow before Christmas and look forward to oncoming storms. After Christmas, however, it can all go away as far as I am concerned.

Remember when it used to snow? Do you remember when we were guaranteed of not only a white Christmas, but a white Thanksgiving? Growing up, it seemed like we had several feet of snow before Christmas - more than enough for sledding, snowmen and an overall "Christmas feeling." I have brought this topic up to people at THE CHECK, and many of them have told me that "I was just shorter back then." Less snow seemed like more snow because I was shorter. I don't think so. I am convinced that, back in THE DAY, we had more snow.

So I consulted the magic of The Google. I looked up Twin Cities snow totals over the years, and here is what I found:
I realize that graph is hard to see, especially if you have eye sight like mine. The middle of the graph is the "median" Twin Cities snowfall over the years, which is right around 44 inches. Any bar above that line represents a year OVER that median, and bar below that line represents a year BELOW that median. Overall, I guess the graph indicates that there is still a good mix of "more and less" of the median snowfall amount.

However, I did find an interesting tidbit in this graph. Check out the years between 1970 and 1985 (if you can see them)! That span of 15 years, on average, had well-above the median 44 inches of snow.

I knew it! That period is when I, Old Man Thompson, grew up! There truly was more snow in those formative years of my youth - it didn't just seem that way because I was shorter.

So there. It doesn't really help me feel any better today, as I look out the window at the continuing rain. Maybe as the day wears on, the rain will change to snow and "Christmas the place up a bit."

Yep, and the Wild might score 10 goals in their next game.

Peace,

Jeff

Editors Note: Yep, at 4:30 P.M. its, you guessed it, snowing.

He Invented the Question Mark....

Dr. Evil talks about his father in group therapy.

Simply one of the best movie monologues of all-time.

He accused chestnuts of being lazy...

Jeff

Bad For Baseball

Seven years, one-hundred-and-sixty-one million dollar$. That is the contract that C.C Sabathia signed with (you guessed it) the New York Yankees today. Rumor has it that the Yankees are also prepared to offer pitcher A.J. Burnett a five-year deal in the range of $90 million dollars. Add this to the fact that last year, the Yankees had a payroll of $209 million dollars. It appears as if that total will increase significantly in 2009. Oddly enough, the Yanks finished 89-73 (1 game better than the $57-million payroll Twins) and 8 games out of first place, proving that money doesn't necessarily buy championships and that karma is real.

It appears that the news of the economic downtown has not reached the offices of the New York Yankees.

Now, I can't blame Sabathia for taking the Yankees offer. After all, it was $60 million more than the next best offer of $100 million from his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Part of me wishes, however, that a guy like Sabathia would say "Hey, I really enjoyed Milwaukee and we made the playoffs with a very good young team. I think I'll take the $100 mil and stay where I'm loved." This, to me, is like looking at a plate of a dozen doughnuts and saying, "I think I'll eat just 8 doughnuts instead of all 12." You're going to be full either way, and probably won't get sick.

I realize this is a pipe dream, folks. It will never happen. Sure, back in THE DAY, Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek took less to stay with the Twins, where they won World Championships and were considered local heroes. That was back when the contract they accepted was worth $6 mil rather than $7 mil that New York or Boston offered. Chump change, right? That was back in the the day in which the rest of baseball wasn't necessarily a minor league for a handful of East and West coast teams. Or the Cubs, which is irrelevant because they are cursed.

Folks, this contract is bad for baseball. I'm not saying the Yankees are guaranteed to win the next 10 World Series Championships, because that is not the issue. There are teams that draft better talent and play the game better than the Yankees. The issue is that this contract sets the "new bar" for elite free agents. And The Bar just keeps on rising. I thought Armageddon was upon us when Johan Santana was offered $130 mil for 6 years by the New York Mets. Well, one year later, that contract is eclipsed by $30 million. When is this going to stop?

Baseball is the last professional sport with absolutely no salary cap. Football, hockey and basketball have figured out that a salary cap, while not perfect, is good for their respective sports. Baseball has not been successful in implementing a cap, however, largely because the players union is second in power to only God Himself. The players union is not going to settle for a salary cap as long as teams are willing to offer players contracts like the Yankees offered C.C Sabathia today.

I believe these types of contracts will lead to another work stoppage, probably a lockout by the owners, until the situation can be remedied. Just like what happened in hockey. I understand that baseball is in much better financial shape than hockey, but I don't know if that will be true in 5 years. Particularly if the economy does not turn around. This is why teams like the Yankees are ultimately hurting baseball. You see, baseball is not a true "free market" competition. While the Yankees are trying to eliminate their competition ON the field, they actually NEED their competition OFF of the field. The Yankees NEED the Twins, Tigers, Indians, Rays, etc., just as they need the Red Sox. That is, unless baseball wants a 6-team league. In addition, a team like the Twins cannot decide to compete in the Yankees lucrative market, like other business can. They can't say, "Hey, we want a piece of that New York media pie and it's 19-million population." It's simply not "true" free market competition.

That is why I truly believe baseball needs to get with the other 3 major leagues and implement a salary cap. Otherwise, the sport is headed for big trouble.

Jeff

Wittman Fired;McHale in as Coach (Round II)

Things aren't going so well for the Timberwolves this year. Kevin McHale now takes over as coach to try and right the ship with the team he assembled.

Good luck.

Escape From Detroit

Well, that was terrifying. Vikes win, 20-16. I really thought they were going to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and lose to the 0-12 Lions today. The Lions played inspired ball, considering they had nothing to play for.

For those of you who might not be reading this post from the Minnesota/Wisconsin area, I realize that I, and most Viking fans, sound like paranoid cynics. That is because we are all paranoid cynics. And with good reason - the Vikings have blown more big games, often against horrible foes, than most NFL teams. There have been books written on this subject. I called tony8489 during the game and he made a good point, however. Maybe the Lions bad luck trumps the Vikings bad luck. That is probably true.

If I were to give out game balls today, one goes to Jared Allen, who nearly had his knees taken out by a Detroit rookie offensive lineman. I'm don't believe the guy was trying to injure Allen, but you can't take out a player's knees like that. Allen went out for a series and then came back and played hurt with a vengeance. This guy is a throwback to the 60's/70's mentality of "you play unless you are hospitalized." It nice to see is this era of sports (see M. Gaborik).

The other game ball would go to the forgotten QB - one Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson was sitting on the sidelines listening to his iPod and eating Cheetos when Gus Frerotte went down with an injury. Although his hasn't played since week 2, he came in and calmly guided the Vikings on 2 touchdown drives. He was 8 of 10 for 105 yards and a TD. He just might have resurrected his career with that performance.

The Vikes should win the division with one more victory. Here's hoping T-Jack has some more life in his arm, and that U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson delays any more legal decisions for a few more months.

By the way - do you know who the Detroit Lion in that picture up top is? That is ex-Viking safety Dwight ("I'm just sitting in my car smoking pot, officer") Smith. He's probably high as a kite in that picture.

Peace,

Jeff

A Few Observations

Here are a couple of thoughts on a cold Saturday night.....

1. Jase and I attended the Wild game last night against the hated Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver won 2-1, took over first place from the Wild and, to make matters worse, Jase and I were in the beer line when the Wild scored their lone goal. The game was still a lot of fun, however, as they always are. I couldn't help but think throughout the game that the Wild could benefit from the services of one Mary Ann Gaborik, but he is still out (of course) with a "lower body injury" sustained while playing hackey sack (100% truth).

I don't want to talk about Gaborik, however. I want to talk about an odd trend that continued last night. The trend is that no matter what game I attend - Wild, Twins, Vikings, Wolves (hypothetically), or Gophers - I am guaranteed to sit right next to fans of the opposing team. This happens without fail. And, sure enough, Jase and I sat right next to 4 Canucks fans visiting town from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Now, I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that, to be fans of an evil team like Vancouver, these guys must have been real pricks, bordering on Satanists. That is what I thought, too. I have found that most fans of the opposing team are ass-holes, particularly Chicago Bear fans. Well, too my surprise, these guys turned out to be 4 of the nicest guys you could ever meet. It turns out they adopted Vancouver as their team after the Winnipeg Jets left for the hockey hotbed of Phoenix a few years back.

We actually hung out with these guys at the Liffy after the game and they bought us a beer. They were very complimentary towards the Wild, their fans, and the Xcel Energy Center. One of them used to cheer for the North Stars, for God's sake. I guess it just goes to show you that if Wild fans and Vancouver fans can get along, there might just be hope for this world after all.

By the way, if the NHL wants to get serious, the league must admit that it is a regional, northern sport and put teams back in Winnipeg, Quebec and Hamilton. To accomplish this, they should move Nashville, Florida and Atlanta's teams to those Canadian cities. Hockey in those southern cities is a joke.

2. Tonight at Target Center, the 4-14 Timberwolves take on the 3-16 Los Angeles Clippers. Do you think there are still tickets available?

3. Lastly, I see that Pat and Kevin Williams have been given a reprieve by a federal judge in St. Paul and will be allowed to play against the Lions this Sunday. There is also speculation that they will be able to play the rest of this year. Now, I have asked myself how I would feel about this whole thing if these were not Viking players. On one side, I blame the Williams boys for taking any type of supplement that was not clearly approved by the league. That is a huge risk to themselves and their team's fortunes. On the other side, it sounds like they took steps through their physicians and by calling league offices to try and surmise if the supplement was acceptable and they did not receive an answer from either source. If the NFL is going to start suspending players with no pay for 4 games, they had better develop a list that is clear - beyond a doubt - of what supplements are acceptable and not acceptable. If you want to read a good article on the subject by Patrick Ruesse, certainly no Viking apologist, here it is.

So, Pat and Kevin will be allowed to play against Detroit on Sunday. This is a game the Vikings should win by 21 points. Anyone who has followed the Viking franchise knows, however, that this is the type of game that they blow. On the road against a divisional opponent, a week of distractions with the legal case, ex-Viking QB starting for the other team. I must say that I am getting bad vibes.

I will say this - if the Vikings cannot beat the 0-12 Detroit Lions on Sunday, they have no business claiming they should be NFC North division champs and they have no business making the playoffs.

That is all for now.

Jeff

Only the Vikings.

There is only one team in professional sports that could do this.

Only the Minnesota Vikings could go 7-3 after a 0-2 start, take over 1st place in their division, and then have 2 of their best players suspended for using a banned diuretic.

Only the Minnesota Vikings could handily defeat their bitter rivals on national television, take over sole possession of 1st place, and then have 2 of their best players suspended for using a banned diuretic.

Only the Minnesota Vikings, on the SAME DAY their owner declared "...glad to see things are falling into place the way we envisioned it" and their last victory "...was really a turning point for our franchise," could have 2 of their best players suspended for using a banned diuretic.

They will let you down every time, these Minnesota Vikings. This is why I waited before writing a beaming review of their well-played victory over the Bears. The proverbial, unavoidable "OTHER SHOE" had not yet dropped.

Well, it dropped today.

You heard it here first:

Detroit - 26
Vikings - 20.

Peace.

Jeff

The Blog.....Two Year Anniversary (!?)

I was going to talk about the Viking victory over the hated Bears until I realized that today, December 1st, 2008, is the two-year anniversary of What Jeff Thinks. Yes, it is true. I will post some thoughts about the game later this week, once it has been determined if Kevin and Pat Williams have been suspended by the NFL.

December 1, 2006 to December 1, 2008. Two years of Sasquatch speculation, incorrect sports prognostications, visions, talking politics out of both sides of my mouth, rumors, innuendo, stadium talk etc. I have to admit that I wasn't sure if the blog would last this long. I also have to admit that I have been getting a little lazy with my writing recently. My nights are filled with the kid's homework and other tasks these days and I am usually asleep by 9:30 so I am fresh for THE CHECK each morning. There is just not as much time to put all of my thoughts in writing.

Now, if some of you are starting to get worried (or excited) that I am thinking of shutting this blog down - don't worry. I have to keep this thing going for sanity reasons. After all, I have to complain about the Vikings/Gophers/Twins/Wolves/Wild/Packers/Bears/White Sox/Yankees/Red Sox/Canucks/Avs/Flames (and so on) to somebody. This thing serves a mental health purpose for me.

I also really enjoy reader comments. When I write a post at night, I look forward to waking up in the morning to see what comments might have been added. I have to admit I am a little bummed when there is none. I'd also like to thank the regular readers - tony8489, CR, Tito, The Pantless Wonder, Neil K., snyde043, Free, Dave M., KSue., Jase, Gilby, dools, Phil, Paul F., Jerry, Roger, Uncle Rob, Pete, Shane.......etc. Sorry if I forgot anyone! Thanks for taking the time to check the blog out.

I also would like to thank all of the "Anonymous" commenter's out there who take the time to leave a message. If you don't want to add your name, that's cool.

Lastly, in honor of the two-year anniversary of What Jeff Thinks, I told my daughter that she could pick out any picture and I would add it to this post. She thought about it, and here is what she decided: So there you go. Two years and counting...

Jeff

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

While 2008 has been a tough year on many fronts in this country, Thanksgiving reminds us that we have much to be thankful for in our lives. Family and friends, of course, top that list for me. If you have family and friends by your side, everything else is rather moot.

I plan on celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends by eating enough for three people, and watching some football. That is a slice of Americana, right there.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Jeff

Another Confusing Weekend of Football

One team done with the Metrodome, two to go. The Minnesota Gophers bid farewell to the Metrodome Saturday night in a most appropriate manner - losing 55-0 to the hated Iowa Hawkeyes. By the way, traffic on 35 South after the game was backed up for miles as tractor after tractor full of Iowa fans merged on the highway for the long journey back to Iowa. Fifty-five to nothing. You can't make it up. As I said, I think it is a totally appropriate and fitting way for the Gophers to end 26 years of abject misery in the Dome. If you want a synopsis of some of the most mind-blowing losses the Gophers endured in the Dome, check out Dan Barreiro's "10 Top Villans in Metrodome history". It's utterly fascinating, and even comes with You Tube clips of the carnage. Here's hoping that the Gophers fare better in TCF stadium starting in 2009 - I really do want them to do well. Tim Brewster appears to be a solid recruiter, but I am not sold on his coaching ability. And, I am still not convinced he isn't crazy. We'll see. On the positive side - losing outside will sure be more fun than losing in the Dome. The glass is always half-full with me, no question about that.

I was a little paranoid to even turn the Vikings game on today after the Gophers shellacking. After all, the game was on the road, on hated REAL GRASS, in Jacksonville, so all of the pieces were in place for a letdown. So what happens? The Vikings beat Jacksonville 30-12. I don't pretend to understand this game of football, so I am just going to roll with the punches and bask in the thrill of victory.

One thing I missed - where was former-Viking WR Troy (Stone Hands) Williamson? The last I heard, Williamson wanted to meet Vikings coach Brad Childress at the 50-yard line before today's game and - get this - fight him. (I have news for Troy - over half of the state of Minnesota feels the same way you do.). Well, he must have been waiting on the sidelines for most of the game because I checked the final statistics and he had zero catches for zero yards. In his defense, he also had zero balls bounce off his helmet like back in his Viking days (glass half full - once again).

I also caught a glimpse of former Viking Head Coach Mike Tice roaming the Jacksonville sidelines. If you remember, Tice was fired by the Vikings a few years back and replaced by current coach Brad Childress. In honor of today's game, the St. Paul Pioneer Press had multiple articles on Tice, and even had a poll asking fans who they would rather have as the Viking head coach - Tice or Childress. Not surprisingly, Tice won 85% to 15%.

Now people, come on. I am no fan of Brad Childress, and Mike Tice was great for humorous quotes, but let's put down the crack pipe, here. Do you remember the Love Boat? Do you remember Tice selling Super Bowl tickets? Do you remember how he lost control of the players and half the team (instead of only 25%) had a criminal record? Remember how a pouting Randy Moss totally controlled the team? I do have to admit that Tice will always have a soft-spot in my heart for beating the Packers at Lambeau in the playoffs, however.

Viking fans have always had short memories when it comes to stuff like this. The back-up quarterback is historically the most popular player on the team (except for T-Jack). The most popular Viking Quarterback to this date, according to fan polls, is still Gino Torretta.

Anyway, the Vikes are tied for 1st place at 6-5 in the NFC Norris. The HATED Bears are up next at the Dome. The mere sight of that red "C" on the black helmet gets by blood boiling. There is a "bad moon rising" on the horizon, however, if the Williams Wall gets suspended for the use of that banned diuretic. If Pat and Kevin Williams get suspended for 4 games, all bets are off. That is not "the hammer," that would be "the guillotine." That could be the end of the Vikings season.

We should find out this week. Until then, my mind will be on a possible late-December bowl in Detroit or Nashville or Rice Lake for the Gophers.

Peace,

Jeff

Last Gopher Game at Metrodome

Saturday's game against Iowa is the last Minnesota Gopher football game in the Metrodome, where they have been playing since 1982 . The Star Tribune has an article in today's edition about the tenure of the Gophs in the Dome.

Therefore, I thought it would be a good time to list my favorite Minnesota Gopher football memories during their stay in the Dome. Here they are:





Thanks,

Jeff

A Couple of Notes....

1. I am not even going to comment on Nick Coleman's latest asinine, short-sighted, ridiculous, can't-see-the-forest-for-the-trees, B.S., doesn't get it, class-warfare, bitter anti-stadium article. I've got nothing to say.

2. How irrelevant have the Minnesota Timberwolves become? The Wolves have started the season at 1-8, and are in grave danger of starting 1-10 for the second season in a row. The team announced just over 12,000 at the Target Center last Saturday night, which means there were really around 7,000 or 8,000 in the building. On a Saturday night. I am literally to the point where I don't think I would accept free tickets to a Wolves game unless they are courtside or in a suite. Only one thing might entice me to a game - free beer. (Glen Taylor - are you listening? It's an idea!)

Meanwhile, on the east side of town, there is a hockey team that has never had a game in their existence that DIDN'T sell out and has a 7,500 season ticket waiting list. You also have a college football team and a professional baseball team opening up new stadiums within the next two years. The Vikings are the Vikings, and will sell tickets even though they generally enrage their fans. How bad is this going to get for the Wolves?? Talk about the "odd-franchise out." As Patrick Ruesse points out today, it may be time for a drastic change.

3. Speaking of "odd franchises out," check out this little ditty from the Detroit Free Press:

"It's not a birthright that Detroit has professional sports teams in each of the four major sports. It's the result of strong corporate support and a loyal fan base willing to pay high prices for tickets. But those days are over. The automotive industry as we once knew it is dead. It will reinvent itself with a leaner identity and a more responsible spending philosophy. And that will likely translate into a more conservative approach as it pertains to cutting checks for luxury suites and unlimited entertainment expenses. It wouldn't be a surprise if Detroit loses at least one of its four professional sports teams within the next 10 years because ownership sells to an outside interest and the franchise moves to an area with a stronger economic base. If you don't think that's possible, then you're not looking at the current local economic situation with a realistic eye. Detroit and Phoenix are the only two cities that support four professional sports teams in four separate facilities. That requires four teams capable of finding enough corporate backing for those all-important luxury suites in four different stadiums/arenas to keep the coffers filled without sharing the facility operational costs with another tenant. That task becomes much tougher for teams in the aftermath of this economic crisis -- especially in Detroit."

Interesting. (What do you think Dools?) How the current economic crisis will affect professional sports has not really been talked about at length. (Perhaps how the crisis will affect families, cities and businesses is a little more pressing!) I personally don't think the Twin Cities can support four professional teams and a major college in separate stadiums. We are, however, on the verge of that reality if the Vikings get their own stadium or play in a refurbished Dome. Who, of the four franchises, would I want to leave town if one absolutely had to go? See #2 above.

Peace.

Jeff

First Avenue - Hold Steady/Drive By Truckers

Old Man Thompson doesn't make it to many concerts these days, particularly at venues like First Avenue. Sure, back in THE DAY, I made it a point to go to as many shows as possible at First Avenue because it was guaranteed to be a big party. Now that I am on the other side of 40, however, I find it to be a hassle to continually make my way through the massive crowds to go to the bathroom. Hey, those Newcastle Brown Ales that they serve are huge, and when you have a bladder like mine, the bathroom has to be nearby at all times. But I digress.

When I heard The Drive By Truckers would be playing a double bill with The Hold Steady at First Avenue, I knew I couldn't miss it. I have never seen either band play live, but I have been told that both put on quite a show. So I headed downtown with CR and Dave M. to see what the fuss was about. And let me tell you, it was a hell of a show.

I'll save the set lists and song reviews for the Strib and Pioneer Press and just say that I have never witnessed two bands that were having so much fun playing music. When The Hold Steady took the stage, there was genuine affection for the venue and the audience from the band. Granted, it was a "homecoming" of sorts for many of the band members. (Craig Finn's guitar was even adorned with a "TC" Twins logo). The show became basically a "sing along" more than a concert. There were ongoing "toasts" between the band and the audience, including a giant one when Craig Finn sang the following lyrics from "Constructive Summer:"

"...me and my friends are like
double whiskey, coke no ice
we drink along in double time
might drink too much but we feel fine

we're gonna build something this summer
summer grant us all the power to drink on top of the water towers
with love and trust and shows all summer
let this be my annual reminder
that we can all be something bigger"

Of course, the following lyrics from "Party Pit" held added meaning during last night's show:

"I came back to start a band, of course
I saw her walking through the Crystal Court
she made a scene by the revolving doors
she's gonna walk around and drink some more

So I walked across that Grain Belt bridge
in a brand new Minneapolis
she said "I think of all those things I did
with just momentum from the party pit"

It was refreshing to witness a band having as much fun as The Hold Steady. We live in an age where music, movies and art tend to reflect angst and anxiety. Not the Hold Steady, though. They were there to have a good time at First Avenue, just like back in THE DAY.

The Drive By Truckers followed with a strong set. I must say that I was a little disappointed with the song selection, but that is just my personal opinion. They relied heavily on their older, "moodier" songs, (such as "Hell, no, I ain't Happy) which kind of changed the atmosphere after The Hold Steady's set. Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley took turns on lead vocals, and they also featured bassist Shonna Tucker on lead for a couple of newer tunes. The band was having a great time, but their set seemed to drone on a little bit.

That is, until the encore. As band took the stage, the first chords of "Zip City," my personal favorite DBT tune, rang out. That got the crowd back into the show. The night ended with both the DBT and The Hold Steady on stage for a rousing rendition of Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World." Once again, the sing-along was on.

Overall, a fantastic show, featuring nearly 4 hours of music. And, I only had to go to the bathroom a couple of times.

Jeff

Vikes Pull It Out

These Vikings-Packers games are killing me. As I mentioned in my last post, they are always bizarre. And close. Today's game was no exception, as it featured:

**Two safeties by the Vikings.
**The Packers having 98 yards of offense late in the third quarter and they were winning.
**The best defensive player on the field for the Vikings, Jared Allen, having a severely-separated shoulder.
**Three Packer interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.
**A punt return by the Packers for a touchdown (Vikings special teams = not so good).
**A missed field goal by Ryan Longwell.
**Gus.Frerotte.Looking.Terrible.
**A missed field goal by Mason Crosby that would have won the game.
**Donald driver not catching a slant and taking it 80 yards for a touchdown.
**A Viking victory.

Adrian Peterson basically WAS the Viking offense today. He rushed for 192 yards and had 33 yards receiving. Some of his more amazing runs were turning what should have been losses into short gains. The kid's a pretty good player.

Defensively, I've got to hand it to Jared Allen. I have heard a lot of comparisons between Allen and Jim Marshall for Allen's ability to play hurt. Jim Marshall, so the stories go, was known for once being hospitalized the morning of a game, and still making it to the stadium and playing the game of his life. Marian Gaborik should take note of this performance.

Anyway, it's always pleasing to get a win against The Pack. It's been awhile (2005, to be exact). We'll see what bizarre events take place the next time they play.

Jeff

Some Advice For Tim Brewster

If Tim Brewster intends to obtain commitments from his recruits to eventually PLAY for the Gopher football team, it may not be the best plan to actually have them on hand to witness live games.

If I was Brewster, I'd have the recruits tour the new stadium, and nothing else.

That's my advice.

Jeff

Back to Sports

Friday night thoughts on the world of Twin Cities sports:

1. It's Viking-Packer week again. I can't help it, I am really down on the Vikings. I used to look forward to Viking-Packer games in my youth. I must say now that I really don't derive too much pleasure from that three-hour period my my week. It's kind of like a three-hour visit to the dentist for me. When the Vikings play the Packers, weird things happen. Blocked kicks. Horrible calls. Safties. Drunks with cheeseheads and helga horns in the stands. And, the last few years, nothing but Packer victories.

Ever since Chilly started coaching the Vikings, the Packers have out-played and out-coached the Vikings. It seems that every tipped pass and bounce goes their way. And, of course, Jared Allen gets hurt before this game. I am also expecting the NFL to announce at 11:59 AM on Sunday morning that Kevin and Pat Williams are immediately suspended for their use of banned substances. I just don't see much changing for them this week.

One question - in what quarter will Donald Driver catch a pass on a slant across the middle, split the safeties, and go 80-yards for a touchdown? It' s not a matter of "if," it's a matter of "when." It happens EVERY time these teams play.

I'm going third quarter this time, shortly after the second-half kickoff. Final: Packers 29, Vikings 18. It's always a weird score.

2. Twins off-season & free agency. It is time for the Twins to start looking at free agency, and making some moves to improve in 2009. Now, I am going to go out on a limb and predict that they WILL NOT end up with Manny Ramirez. However, Charley Walters wrote this little ditty in today's Pioneer Press:

Don't be surprised if the Twins consider free agent Casey Blake, who finished the season with the Dodgers and hit 21 home runs between Los Angeles and Cleveland, for their third-base job. Blake, 35, who is from Iowa and played for the Twins from 2000-02, has 14 career homers and 47 runs batted in against the Twins, and his personality would be a perfect fit. He probably could be had for $12 million for two years.

I believe Casey Blake would make a wonderful addition to the Twins. They need a third baseman who can hit, and Blake doesn't break the bank. Blake hit .274 for the Indians and Dodgers in 2008, with 21 HR and 81 RBI's. He's a good clubhouse guy, too, which is always a plus with the Twins. More to come later on the subject of Twins off-season moves.

3. A new guy to hate in the NHL. The Wild beat the hated Colorado Avalanche 3-1 last night, and I found a new guy to loath on the Avs. His name is Darcy Tucker. Here is some insight from Michael Russo's column in the Star Tribune:

During the preseason, I either wrote or said on the radio that “Darcy Tucker will make Matt Cooke look like a saint.”

After watching his act for years when I covered the East, I know him well and he continues to try to not just hurt guys, but affect their careers. He just can’t help himself.

Latest incident in which he showed a total lack of care in the world for one of his opponents?
Late in the second period, Tucker and defenseman Nick Schultz clashed deep in the Wild’s zone. After the pushing match, the two lined up next to each other on a faceoff and Tucker began screaming at him as the Wild was on a penalty kill. Schultz was called off the ice on a line change and as he skated by, Tucker continued barking at him.

Then, 6:33 into the third, in a despicable act but one he’s done often in his career, Tucker came in way late on Schultz, bent down and went right for the knees. He was called for clipping.

I got Schultz alone in the locker room, and he was still fuming. Here’s his comments:“My concern is at the end of the second, he tells me he’s going to come and take out my knees, and then he actually does it. It says everything you need to know about that guy.“In the game right now, we’re lacking respect for each other and to go and do something like that I think is not respecting one of the guys you’re playing against.“He’s been that type of player his whole career, and you don’t need that in the game. It’s something we’re trying to get away from — hits to the head and taking out guys knees. It’s just a gutless play.”

Tucker is the guy who took out Michael Peca's knees during the 2002 playoffs. Peca tore both his medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments with another one of his "low hits."

What an ass-hole. Another guy to hate in the NHL.

4. Timberwolves start 1-3. Yep. Just in case you forgot there was a team called the Timberwolves. News alert - tickets are available for their upcoming home games.

5. Gophers play Michigan - and are favored.

The bad news: The Gophers have played in the Metrodome since 1982 and have never beaten Michigan at home. If they lose on Saturday, that means they are 0 for the Dome against the Wolverines.

The good news: Michigan is reeling, and the Gophers are favored.

The bad news: Michigan still has talent, and I have very bad vibes about this one. But then again, I have bad vibes about all football games.

The good news: Only two more Gopher games at the Metrodome! Forever!!

That's all for now.

Jeff

Willing To Give Obama A Chance

As a political moderate, this has easily been the most agonizing election of my life. I thought the nation was divided in 2004, but this takes the cake. I have good friends and family who are staunch conservatives who have asked me the following question:

Jeff, how could you even consider voting for Barack Obama?

I have good friends and family who are are staunch liberals who have asked me the following question:

Jeff, how could you even consider voting for John McCain?

I wish I could look at this as a "black and white, right and wrong" election with no shades of grey. I wish I could claim that one of the candidates has my 100% backing. But I can't. It's deeper than that.

Today, however, was decision time. It's my civic responsibility to vote, and I don't take that responsibility lightly. People die for that right around the world. Today it was time to pick a candidate.

I made the decision to give Barack Obama a chance.

I don't believe Obama is a savior or messiah. I never had a yard sign or a button. I don't believe he has all of the answers. On the flipside, I don't believe he's a Marxist, Socialist or Muslim as he has been accused of. I believe he's a guy with little political experience that hopefully offers some positivity, rather than fear, for the future. The last eight years have not been very good.

When it is said and done, I'm simply not a McCain/Palin sort of guy (especially Palin). I couldn't vote for that ticket and help put Palin one heartbeat from the Presidency. I was raised in Eau Claire by a mostly Democratic, Lutheran family. Standing at the voting booth, that part of me kicked in, and that is where my heart is. It also helped that a former Republican Minnesota Governor (the kind of moderate that I respect) endorsed Obama late in the campaign. That told me something.

In addition, I never thought I'd see the day in my lifetime when a black man was elected President of the United States. It was only four short decades ago that segregated schools, bathrooms, transportation and drinking fountains were reality. I believe this shows that country has come a long way.

So that is my choice. As I am writing this, I do not know who the "official" winner of the election is. Whether it is McCain or Obama, he will have my backing. I am not going to be one of those people who sports a "Not My President" bumper-sticker, and hopes for the President to "fail" because he doesn't happen to be from their political party. If the President fails, the country could fail, and that would not be good.

This is one country, after all. Not two. We are all in this together.

Jeff

P.S. - I voted for Norm Coleman over Al Franken for Senate. The country also needs "checks and balances" for God sakes.

Lord, I'm Discouraged - The Hold Steady - My Current Favorite Song

In Less than two weeks, I'll be attending the Drive By Truckers/Hold Steady show at First Avenue with CR and Dave M. When I purchased the tickets a few months back, I basically wanted to see the Drive By Truckers and really didn't care who they were playing with.

Since that time, however, The Hold Steady have been in heavy rotation on my iPod. The Brooklyn-based band has serious Twin Cities roots. Four of the five members have lived here, and claim to be big Twins fans. They even call out Har-Mar in one of their tunes. Any band that sings about Shitdale is OK by me.

I partiularily enjoy the tune that I have added to this post - "Lord, I'm Discouraged." I'm now just as excited to see The Hold Steady as I am the Drive By Truckers. It should be a great show.

Jeff

Credit Where Credit Is Due. And None Where It's Not.

So.....after that last political post, I debated whether to move on to either religion or sports for my next post. Sports won. Here are some sports topics on my mind today.

1. Gophers football at 7-1. Before this season, if someone would have told me that the Gopher football team would be 7-1 after 8 games, I would have advised that person to seek psychological help. As I have stated in the past, at the end of last season (1-11) Tim Brewster was officially in the running for Biggest Coaching Buffoon in Minnesota History. (Denny Green currently holds that title, by the way), mostly due to his personality and promises of a Rose Bowl.

I have to give credit where credit is due, however. Brewster has the Gophs at 7-1 with nice road victories over Illinois and Purdue. They haven't really beat a "great" Big Ten team, but they held their own against Ohio State. And, hey, they haven't lost games to teams they should beat. The upcoming schedule looks relatively easy too, except for the game at Madison. There is no Penn State or Michigan State.

The talent level looks higher, especially on defense. And with Adam Weber at QB and Erik Decker at WR, the future looks bright for this squad. Add to that the fact that the new outdoor stadium opens next year (and looks amazing), and they are starting to land some good recruits. Winning always breeds winning. This is a team that I always wanted to cheer for, but found it almost impossible. But, hey, I'll go see anyone play outdoor football in the fall. Now, it looks like they might field a competitive team in a legitimate college stadium.

Best of luck to the Gophers. I hope they do well.

2. Kevin and Pat Williams test positive for using a banned diuretic in water pills. Does this surprise you? If you are a Viking fan, you surely know to fear "down time" for our favorite team. The Vikings are the only team in the NFL that can screw up more during the bye week than when they actually play.

Kevin and Pat Williams (no relation except for stupidity) are two of the most important players on the defense. They now face the possibility of serving 4-game suspensions for using a banned substance that apparently "masks" the use of steroids. If they are out for 4-games, the Vikes are done. In fact, they are probably done anyway.

I think this latest fiasco cements the possibility that Brad Childress will not be the coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 2009. It also doesn't help their image to fans and politicians who have a stake in the upcoming legislative battle for a new stadium.

Way to go, boys. This is not Bud Grant's Vikings, I tell ya.

3. Timberwolves start new season with win. I only two things to say about this:

One - I can't believe that this is the Wolves 20th season. They started when I was a senior in college. That means I was a senior in college 20 years ago. Dear Lord.

Two - Mike Miller is a nice addition to the team. He has GOT to cut his hair, though. He just has to.

That's all.

Jeff

We Live In Strange Times.....

As an undecided voter, I am looking for something, anything to sway my opinion in the Presidential election. For instance, John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate swayed me in the way an iceberg once swayed The Titanic.

So today, I was planning to write a positive post about the Gopher football team (I'll do that later this week) until I came across this little ditty. Apparently Joe Biden, Barack Obama's VP running mate, was speaking at a Seattle fund-raiser last Sunday when he uttered these very words:

"Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. ... Remember I said it standing here, if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.

"I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate. ... And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you ... to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right. ... Gird your loins. We're gonna win with your help, God willing, we're gonna win, but this is not gonna be an easy ride.

"This guy has it. But he's gonna need your help. Because I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh, my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' We're gonna have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years. So I'm asking you now ... be prepared to stick with us. ... There are gonna be a lot of you who want to go, 'Whoa, wait a minute, yo, whoa, whoa, I don't know about that decision.' Because if you think the decision is sound when they're made ... they're not likely to be as popular as they are sound. Because if they're popular, they're probably not sound.

"I probably shouldn't have said all this, because it dawned on me that the press is here."

OK. We are all aware that Joe Biden in known to put his foot in his mouth and say some crazy stuff from time to time. But this particular statement brings up a few issues in my mind. They are:

A. Joe - what the hell are you talking about????? Where did this bombshell come from?? An international CRISIS within 6 months of the Obama presidency? Hey - that's something to look forward to! I am full of confidence, now! Geez, where do I cast my early vote for you guys??

B. How, exactly, does one "gird their loins?"

C. At the end of this rant, Biden realizes "the press is here." Yeah, Joe, they're really not around much these days, are they? Not much going on. Joe - the press is there when you are in the bathroom having a tinkle. Whatever you say is going to be recorded, especially if the words "international" and "crisis" are involved.

D. Lastly, what would happen if John McCain predicted an "international crisis" within the next six months? Well, he'd be accused of trying to scare people and running a "negative campaign," that's what.

These are truly strange times. I am more confused than ever, and that is truly saying something. And to top it off, the Minnesota Gophers football team is 7-1.

Are these the end days?

Jeff

The Wild Must Trade Gaborik.

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

The (insert Minnesota sports franchise name here) has an all-star pro athlete with an expiring contract. The Minnesota team offers the all-star athlete a contract that is huge, but does not quite fall into the "immorally immense" range. The Minnesota team hopes the athlete will accept the somewhat smaller offer to stay in the Twin Cities, where we are all nice and the schools are good. The athlete, of course, rejects the offer because "the grass is always greener" and insists on a few additional million dollars. We all know $92 million is more than $90 million. These guys have families to feed, for God sakes.

The team is then forced to decide whether to retain the athlete during his final year under contract (Torii Hunter) and pray he will resign, or trade him for far less value than he is worth (Kevin Garnett, Johan Santana, Randy Moss). The other teams in the league obviously know the Minnesota franchise cannot retain him and does not have bargaining leverage. They must either trade the star athlete for reduced value or risk losing him outright to free agency for nothing in return.

The star athlete is then either traded to another team for a bucket of (baseballs, footballs, basketballs, pucks) or lost via free agency and goes on to win championships and MVP awards in another city.

Does this all sound familiar? Well, it's happening again. This time is is Marian Gaborik with the Minnesota Wild. Gaborik has always been a bit of an enigma. At times, he is the best player in the league, and at other times he disappears completely - both literally and figuratively. He is often injured (constant groin pulls) or simply doesn't produce. I like the way Jim Souhan presents the issue in his latest column in the Star Tribune:

"Gaborik is hurt again, proving himself fragile, damaging his leverage in negotiations and the Wild's leverage in trade talks. He scored as many goals as me in last year's playoffs. (Good one Jim!) He's asking for the kind of money paid to dominant all-around players, and he isn't one. How do you take his side?"

Amen. And then again, as Souhan states:

"The Wild is getting ready to get rid of another popular player, refusing to pay top dollar for one of the guys who helps fill the X every game night, dooming the franchise to endless rebuilding and an over-reliance on their coach to keep winning games 2-1. How do you take the team's side?"

Again, amen. As always, this is the Minnesota Conundrum. What to do with Superstars. In this case, however, the genie is already out of the bottle. The badmouthing has started. First, Wild G.M. Doug Risebrough admitted publicly on Sid Hartman's radio show that Gaborik hurt himself, not in the ice, but playing hacky sack. Now, Strib beat-writer Michael Russo is reporting that Gaborik's agent has accused the team of "character assassination" of Gaborik. Yep, it's started.

The Wild now have no choice. They have to trade Marian Gaborik. You can't keep a guy on a team after this type of crap starts happening in the media (see Brett Favre). Of course, the other teams in the NHL know this, and they are probably loading up buckets of pucks hoping to make an "even-up trade."

Now, having said that, I don't think the Wild can really be blamed for this mess. They will hamstring the franchise for years to come if they resign the injury-prone Gaborik for $8-10 million a year over a decade. Sydney Crosby he ain't. I am not convinced that Gaborik is the kind of guy you build a team around. In fact, I don't even think he's the best player on the team. That honor goes to Mikko Koivu.

So, here we are again. The Minnesota Conundrum.

What would you do?

Jeff

P.S. - there is no question that if the Wild trades Gaborik, he will become the "next Gretzky."

Vikes Score 41. And Lose.

If you would have told me this morning that the Vikings would score 41 points in their game against the Bears today in Chicago, I would have thought they would win by three touchdowns.

But no.

There are many, many ways the Minnesota Vikings find to lose football games. You see, they gave up 48 points to Kyle Orton and the high-powered (sarcasm) Bears. How? Well, today it happened to be a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown and a muffed punt that was recovered for a touchdown. Next game it will be something else.

I'm going to cut to the chase on this. I am usually not one to advocate the constant firing of head coaches. Good teams generally have coaching continuity. One huge reason the Minnesota Twins have had success is the fact that they have had two managers since 1987 - Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire.

But, it is time for Brad Childress to go.

Folks, the Minnesota Vikings are not prepared to compete on a week to week basis. This team simply cannot put together a "complete" football game in which the offense, defense and special teams plays in a consistent, disciplined manner. Not one game. And that comes down to coaching. They have the talent, and Zygi Wilf has certainly doled out the money to bring in free agents to fill positional gaps. It's coaching.

If the Vikings don't do something quickly, they risk losing even more of their usually loyal fan base and they certainly will not make any headway at the capital in their quest for a new stadium. Fans are downright angry right now. It reminds me of the last days of the North Stars. And we all know what happened there. This is not the franchise that I grew up watching back at The Met and even under Burnsie at the Dome. These guys are a bunch of losers.

The Vikings have to do something immediately. Childress must go. Replace him on a temporary basis with Leslie Frazier, and then go after a big-name coach (Bill Cowher) in the off-season.

The future of the franchise in Minnesota depends on it.

Jeff

Blast From the Past #3 - Minnesota North Stars

Back in The Day, I grew up absolutely loving hockey and the Minnesota North Stars. Their games were carried on KMSP channel 9, and Z-100 radio in Eau Claire so I could tune in when the game wasn't televised. I was also lucky enough to attend quite a few games at the beloved Met Center, which was located on hallowed ground in Bloomington, Minnesota. An Ikea stands on that ground now, which is depressing in itself.

Back then, I hated the Chicago Blackhawks more than any entity on planet Earth. I am reminded of this because Dennis (The Rat) Savard was fired as coach of the Blackhawks today only 4 games into the season. Savard, who smoked between shifts during games, was part of those hated Goonhawks teams along with Al Secord, Doug Wilson, etc. I HATED Chicago, but I have fond memories of that rivalry. The North Stars countered with Brian Bellows, Neal Broten, Dino Ciccarelli, Bobby Smith, etc. Contests between the North Stars and Blackhawks were personal, heated, and often filled with fisticuffs. Brawls, even. Those were the days.

As we all know, the North Stars moved to the hockey hotbed of Dallas, Texas in 1993 and took the team's name, colors, and history with them. It was a sad day, to say the least. Luckily, Minnesota got hockey back with The Wild, but I have to admit things are not quite the same. I love the Wild and the Xcel Energy Center, but they now play in a division with western teams instead of Chicago, Detroit and St. Louis. The natural rivalries are just not there. And, there has been an influx of European players that has changed the NHL and it's style of play. It's just not like The Good Old Days.

Anyway, I found some footage of a Stars-Hawks brawl at Met Center in the late 1980's that really brought back some memories. Take a look and let me know what you think. I'd like to hear some of your memories of the North Stars?

By the way, Secord still sucks.

Jeff

NBA Player Hurt On Moped. It Was Bound To Happen...

I have written before about the highs and lows of moped ownership. Now, it turns out that a player in the National Basketball Association has been (quote) "severely injured" while riding his moped. Folks, we all know this was bound to happen sooner or later. The unlucky player (this time!) is Monta Ellis of The Golden State Warriors. Here is more from the San Francisco Chronicle:

"Monta Ellis was riding a moped when he severely injured his left ankle last month in his native Jackson, Miss., sources close to the Warriors guard told The Chronicle on Wednesday. The 22-year-old tore a deltoid ligament in his ankle and sustained a high-ankle sprain in what one of the sources labeled a "low-speed" accident. Ellis underwent surgery Aug. 27 and is expected to be sidelined for at least another two months.

The cause of Ellis' injury was unclear, even to Golden State officials, immediately after he hurt himself in late August. He initially told vice president Chris Mullin the injury occurred during a pickup basketball game, before coming clean about the moped mishap.

The team has not decided how to punish Ellis for violating the terms of his new six-year, $66 million deal by participating in a banned activity and trying to cover it up.

Since riding a moped is prohibited under the uniform player contract, the Warriors could move to terminate Ellis' deal, though such a move seems highly unlikely."

First off, I am not surprised to find out that riding a moped is banned behavior for NBA players. Team officials tried to label this a "low speed accident," but let's not mince words - those bastards move fast. Sometimes upwards of 35 miles per hour. Well, downhill. Uphill, you're talking more like 21,22 MPH depending on if the wind is with you or against you.

Secondly, mopeds tip easily because they are on two wheels. Two wheels and sand do not mix. I have written about this. I used to wipe out all of the time back in The Day on my moped and scuff up the chrome, blinkers, etc. The first time I wiped out (Day 2 of moped ownership), I took it back to the dealer and explained to him how "it tipped over" while parked. He did not believe me. But, I digress. Back to Ellis. No doubt he encountered some sand while moving at "a low speed (nod, nod, wink, wink)". Nothing good comes of that combination.

Thirdly, I fully understand why Ellis lied and claimed he injured himself playing basketball. Look, mopeds are cool and everything but, take it from me, a person doesn't really want to admit getting injured on one. Especially "severely injured." The chicks never really dug that too much. It sounds better to say you were injured while perfecting a reverse dunk in a pickup basketball game. But, alas, there were probably witnesses to the moped accident. There always are. By the way, Ellis is 6'-3", 177 lbs. Can you imagine him on a moped? Wiping out? Kind of embarrassing.

So, we'll see if this leads to a moped crackdown in all sports. I imagine that quite a few hockey and football players like to tool around on those bad-boys. It will be interesting.

Peace,

Jeff

Thoughts On the Big 12-10 Win Over the Lions. And Some Other Stuff.

I have vowed not to criticize NFL officiating for the next week. I declare that they are my friends. Today, folks, the highly-qualified NFL officials basically handed the Vikings a 12-10 victory over the Lions after a phantom pass interference was called late in the game. The Lions 'wuz robbed (sorry about that dools). The penalty basically put the Vikes in field goal position with two minutes to play. Ryan Longwell nailed it and the contest was history.

I still, for the life of me, cannot get a grip on what "pass interference" is in the NFL. I have seen receivers get absolutely hammered or held with no call. On the flip side, I have seen receivers draw an interference call with nobody within 5 yards of them.

Somehow, the Vikings managed to pull this one out even though they exhibited a prehistoric offensive scheme, lost 2 fumbles, had a field-goal blocked and threw an interception. I have figured out, however, that it is better to wonder how the Vikes won a game rather than wonder how they lost a game. Miraculously, they are tied for first place in the heated NFC North at 3-3.

I know this - the Vikings had better figure out how to move the ball if they want to stay in contention (which means 8-8). Adrian Peterson is doing his job, and Gus Frerotte is competent enough at QB to keep the team close. Both are running for their lives, however, and taking some bone-crushing hits. All bets are off if either of them sustains a serious injury.

Switching gears - I am watching the Packers-Seahawks game while typing this. Charlie. Frye. Is. Terrible. (But better than that guy on the Lions).

Switching gears again - it's good to have hockey back. I attended the home opener against hated Boston last night with The Eldest Son in which the Wild won 4-3. What made this game extra special is that Manny Fernandez was in the net for Boston. In his days with the Wild, Manny was often sullen and withdrawn, and was not scared to throw his teammates under the bus. Probably the one true head case the Wild has had on their roster. Last night, he gave up some soft goals and was cascaded with chants of "Man-ny.......... Man-ny........Man-ny" and "Sieve-Sieve-Sieve." Just like high school hockey. I loved it. Yep, good to have hockey back.

That's all for now.

Jeff

My Humble Opinion on the Economic Crisis

"Well I believe there's someone watching over you
They're watching every single thing you say
And when you die
They'll set you down and take you through
You'll realize one day
That the grass is always greener on the other side
The neighbor's got a new car that you wanna drive
And when time is running out you wanna stay alive
We all live under the same sky
We all will live, we all will die
There is no wrong, there is no right
The circle only has one side"
Travis - "Side"

This is certainly one fine economic mess that we've gotten ourselves into. The stock market continues it's daily triple-digit decline. The federal government was essentially forced into a $700 billion dollar bailout of financial institutions to avoid "a depression." My 401K looks more like a 201K. Add to this, for various reasons, unemployment is up and gas and food prices are skyrocketing. The times that we, as a nation, are living in right now have been likened to "an economic 9-11" and "an economic Pearl Harbor." How did we get here, and how can this mess be cleaned up?

I am not going to pretend to know the complicated details on how this turmoil came about. I am going to step on my soapbox, however, and provide a simplistic, one-word answer to what I believe led to this economic crisis: Greed.

A good part of this nation does not know how to "live within it's means," got greedy, and had a huge hand in this crisis. There are many levels of greed that got us to where we are today. For starters, I have believed for many years that we have become a nation of people who define each other not by "the content of our character," but by our material possessions. On many levels, a person is deemed a "success" based on his or her profession, the size of their castle in the suburbs or the car they drive. Even if they happen to be the world's biggest jack-ass, a horrible parent or a back-stabbing co-worker.

It is no surprise then, that many people buy into this definition of "success," and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Countless individuals and families have over-borrowed on mortgages and auto-loans and became "house or car poor." They have maxed out multiple credit cards on material possessions in an effort to appear "successful." "Living within one's means" has become passe' and boring. One has to wonder if this spending pattern is cyclical and/or generational. There are parallels to the "Roaring 20's" leading to The Great Depression. Hard to say. The Marketers in this country certainly have done a wonderful job fostering these beliefs, buying behaviors and definition of "success." After all, who doesn't have a gift-wrapped Lexus waiting in the driveway for their spouse for Christmas?

Of course, for people to have the ability to over-borrow money and max-out credit cards, there must be a "willing lender." This is the next, and arguably most dangerous, level of greed in our society. There is no shortage of institutions that were MORE than willing to lend money or provide credit to just about anybody, regardless of income, credit history, or ability to pay the money back. Remember when it used to be somewhat difficult to obtain a loan for something like a car or house? Not anymore. Anybody with a birth certificate and a pulse qualified. These lending institutions, often led by CEO's who knew "they would get their payout" did not seem too concerned about how many of their clients would pay these loans back. That CEO issue needs a whole other post. Once again, these individuals are often viewed as "the pillars of society." Things are often not as they seem, however. Anway, back to the lending institutions. Everybody is happy, right? New car, castle in the suburbs, everybody gets paid........until now.

Because many people have over-borrowed and overspent, they are unable to pay back their loans and mortgages. This country is now experiencing an unprecedented number of loan defaults and foreclosures. Home values have fallen so much that many people owe more on their loans than what their home is now worth. Obviously, when these institutions do not receive their loan payments back on a mass scale, these institutions fail. Unless they are bailed out by the government, of course. I won't bore you with the trickle-down effect and ramifications on the country when these institutions fail, but it's bad.

The long and short of it is that we've bitten off more than we can chew. We're like addicts that have gone insane, and it is time to pay the piper. I realize that I am not blameless. Everyone likes "stuff," and wants to provide for their families. We've exceeded our limit, however, and it's hang-over time. Part of me is bummed about this, and part of me hopes that the nation can mellow out, take a step back, and realize that we should not define people by what they own and "have on display." And, we should not strive to have ourselves be defined in this manner. We should be defined by our character, and how we treat others.

I am not trying to sound like Karl Marx or "holier than thou." I just hope that we, as a society, can strive to "live within our means" and not mortgage the future in an effort to "appear successful." After all, what are people really trying to hide?

That is just my humble opinion. As always, let me know what you think.

Jeff