Well, I just got back from attending the NFC Championship here in AZ, and I can't believe the Cardinals....yes, the perennial loosers Cardinals, are going to the Super Bowl! Unbelievable. They played a great game against the same Eagles team that beat the Vikings. Yes, this is the same Cardinals team that the Vikings destroyed....in the same loud home Cardinals' stadium exactly a month ago today.

From a Viking's standpoint I can only think that they must look at today's game as hope that this Viking's team is not far from being able to win a Super Bowl birth themselves. Having a veteran QB was essential to this win. Warner made a number of great plays, not only completions but some of his incompletions were throw aways that avoided sacks. TJ just hasn't seemed to make the progress needed to be able to advance as a leader.

I hope the Vikes fix the QB problem. The Viking's team doesn't need an overhaul, just a new leader in the huddle. And oh yeah, Wisenhunt is a great coach who assembled a great staff....too bad the Vikes didn't grab him when he became available from Pittsburgh. I'm not a Chilly fan, it wouldn't break my heart to see him go, but that would probably set the team back at least 2 years.

If the Cardinals can make a Super Bowl, the Vikes have to keep up the hope that they are close to making it back themselves. Good luck in 09 Vikes! We will see the Purple here in AZ again next year!

When the Vikings lined up for a crutial 3rd and 2 when the game was still close yesterday, they lined up in an offset backfield with AP and a fb. They have used this same formation a number of times this year, and ALWAYS run the ball to the weak side of the formation....AP always gets the ball and runs to the opposite side following the fb. Ok, yes....it did work earlier in the year on the goaline and AP walked in for 6. That was nice. Then I saw it work again against the Bears on that Sunday night....picked up a first down, gain of about 5 or so. Then I saw them try it in person here in AZ against the Cards.....stuffed for no gain.

So there it was again yesterday, when a first down would have put us in or near field goal range and kept the drive alive and potential for the lead. They run it, and AP is stuffed for a loss.....punt.

If I as a casual fan sitting at home with my buddies can recognize a formation and what play is going to happen, I'm guessing that an NFL defense that has been watching film and scouting us can do the same. Why would they run the EXACT play out of this formation again??? At least run it the other direction for a change, or play action...? It seems very uncreative for an NFL offensive coordinator to not mix it up a little more, especially in the playoffs.

I don't claim to be an offensive guru myself, but I don't think it takes a genius to know that you better mix things up when you only run ONE play the SAME way out of a formation that you get into only once or twice per game.

Let me first say that I'm as excited as everyone else about the Viking's chances this weekend and the playoffs. I can't wait to see the Purple win and screw all the 'experts' that are picking Philly to win.

But has anyone else noticed now lousy Bryant McKinney has been playing? How many times does this guy get flat out BEAT by the opposing DE a game.....a dozen times or more? Even on some good plays where AP has a great run, #74 looks like he is lost. This guy blocks more air than he does defenders. I just watched some of the highlights on the NFL Network replay from last week and saw him just holding his hands in front of him but not making contact.....I don't know, does the Metrodome have a knat problem because it sure looked like he was swatting at something other than the guy he was supposed to block.

It sure seems to me like this guy would be a prime candidate to be replaced this offseason. Why? Well, wasn't he suspended for 4 games for his involvement in a brawl this year? Wasn't he part of the 'boat' incident? And oh by the way, he has a big fat contract that usually is reserved for a player that is vital to your team.

If the Vikes are going to become a better team, they need to cut their ties to guys like this and move on. TJ had better watch his backside because #74 sure doesn't have his back.

Sunday is gameday and time for the invasion of purple here in AZ at University of Phoenix Stadium(The Big Toaster). Look for lots of purple in the stands as there is always a huge amount of Viking faithful that turn out whenever the Vikes come to town. In years past when the Vikes came to Arizona, it was almost like a MN home game but now times have changed. TJ will need to deal with noise and I hope the coaches have helped him with calling audibles at the line, it could be tough to hear.

The local sports writers in town have been writing about how the Cards have the advantage in this game on offense, defense and special teams. It's always funny to read how biased local writers can be towards the hometown team. Arizona is in a horrible division, and a majority of their wins have come against teams with loosing records. Seattle, San Fran, and St. Louis are all awful. So it's a little tough to judge just how powerful the Cards really are this year. They have beat up on some lowly teams, but against teams with winning records(Giants, Panthers, Eagles, and even the Jets) they have looked average and at times, downright bad.

So I don't give the Cards advantages in all parts of the game. Yes, they have a much better throwing game and 2 All Pro recievers. But if the Wall can get pressure on old man Warner, it won't be so easy for him to pick apart the Vike's LBs and DBs. Yes, I give the advantage to the Cards on special teams play....the Vike's coverage teams have been terrible this year on kickoffs and punts.

The Vikes have much more on the line and thus they should play a more motivated game(we would think and hope anyway). I see this game as a pretty close matchup, but the edge to the Vikes as I see both OL and DL as an advatage for MN. Open holes for AD on offense and get pressure on Warner on D and the Vikes should be in good shape at the end of the day and remain a game ahead of the Cubbies.

Go VIKES, the purple desert army will be here for you, loud and proud!

Ok, we got the bad news that I think we all knew was inevitable. Now the Vikes will have to finish the regular season without the Williams Wall, so who steps into those two slots on the line? I'm sure there are the second string guys ready to step in, but I wonder if the team will switch someone from the DE to DT. And is picking up a couple free agents a good option?  What a headache, but now that the suspensions have come down, the team needs to put in the next guys in and hope to find a temporary 4 week fix!

Are the Williams boys allowed to practice with the team during the suspensions? Makes you wonder if they would be ready to go when or if the Vikes make the playoffs.

The Viking's season has been like riding a roller coaster and the QB position has been one of the main reasons. It's always easy to call for the backup qb after the starter throws 3 pics. The grass is greener with the backup until he comes in the game and goes 3 and out.

I certainly won't defend Gus and his int percentage this year, but should we be so harsh and critical when our other options are young and inexperienced? We have seen the TJ show last year and the first two games of this season. Did you cringe like me when TJ dropped back in the pocket....? Gus isn't Tom Brady or whoever else we wish he would become overnight, but he has seen a lot of action in his career and right now he probably is the best option.

As a Viking fan living in Arizona I have watched the local team here for many years and have seen how a qb that everyone thought was washed up and done is thriving due to having a good OL and great recievers. Kurt Warner is having a MVP season but the recievers have caught many of his passes that weren't thrown on target. I have to believe that if the Vikings had a stronger bunch of recievers, Gus wouldn't be the goat that some make him out to be. So maybe before we all want to send Gus to the showers, we should scrutinize the recievers and their ability to get open and catch the tough balls.

Speaking of the Arizona recievers, Anquan Bolden is wanting out of AZ and the Cardinals can't pay him the salary that he deserves. He is one hell of a tough guy and MAKES the tough catches. I hope Ziggy gets on the horn and shoots him off a phone call to get Bolden into a purple #81 jersey next year!