In what has turned out to be possibly the strangest season in their history, the Minnesota Vikings have announced they will play their final home game against the Chicago Bears at the Minnesota Gophers outdoor stadium, TCF Bank Field. This comes one week after the Vikings had to play the New York Giants and the Lions' Ford Field. How did we get to this bizarre point? Basically an act of Mother Nature - one of the top blizzards in Twin Cities history dumped so much snow on top of the Metrodome that it tore three holes and deflated the teflon roof.
And I thank Mother Nature for these events. Here is why:
A little over a month ago, I wrote that the Vikings need to do 5 things to regain their Karma. Basically there are:
1. They need to fire Brad Childress.
2. They need to strip their roster of over the hill veterans.
3. They need to draft a new QB.
4. They need to return to their old-school uniforms.
5. They need a new stadium, preferably outdoors.
Well, #1 has been accomplished. Numbers 2 & 3 will most likely happen this off-season. #4 may happen over time. Which leads us to #5.
I don't like the Metrodome. For baseball, it was not only a bad stadium, it was bordering on immoral. For football, it's antiquated and adequate at best. In the way a 1980 Chevy Chevette is adequate for a roadtrip to Vegas. The Minnesota Vikings need a new stadium. Now, the Minnesota politicians are not going to proactively realize this until the Vikings are packing moving vans. The majority of Minnesota citizens are most likely going to spout the "not on my dime!" or "What about the kids!?" mantras. (Then, by the way, if the stadium IS built, it will become the most popular place in the 5-state area and everyone will claim to love it. See: Target Field. See: Xcel Energy Center.) We all know these things to be true, and I have written about it a million times.
That is why it took the Forces Of Nature to help Minnesotans realize that the Vikings need to be back outside. It basically took nearly 20 inches of snow to deflate the dome and force the Vikings to play at TCF Bank Stadium. On a Monday night. Against the hated Bears. On a night they will honor the 50 greatest Vikings of all time. Think about it - this game HAD to be outside. The Forces of Nature have decreed it. It will be cold. It may even snow. But this is The Way It Should Be.
We all know this, in our hearts, to be true.
6 comments:
I have little faith in the Vikings bringing back the OLD SCHOOL UNI's... though I'd LOVE it.
Regarding an outdoor stadium... there's little to no chance of that happening, and it SUCKS.
I'm attempting to get tickets to the MNF game @ The Bank... win or lose, should be one hell of an event to attend!
I agree with you on the stadium, Anonymous. If the Vikes ever get one built, it will be a fixed roof like Detroit so they can host other events like Final 4's, High School tournaments, etc.
And don't forget tractor pulls.
Hey Jeff, the Vikings are wearing their old school uni's on Monday night too.
That is good to hear! Now I am wondering if they are going to pull this game off at TCF.
dave m's idea for ticketing:
-Bring ticket to TCF anytime between now and 4 pm on Monday.
-Trade dome ticket for actual ticket at TCF (while supplies last)
-Go Home
-Show up at 7:30, go to your seat and enjoy the game if that is possible.
Vikings Idea:
-Show up by 4 pm Monday to get in line
-Run The Who style to get the best seat you can (and movie theater style you know everyone will keep one seat between them and the person next to them).
-Sit in cold for 3 and a half hours.
-Leave after 1st quarter when Vikings are losing 24-0 and you are at risk of hypothermia.
Nice plan Vikes.
Dave - it's a bad plan. I have a buddy with $110 tickets who is not going because he's bound to get shafted.
On the other hand, it fits in perfectly with the Minnesota Vikings 2010 season.
Somebody will probably get trampled to death.
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