I was surprised by the pick and wasn't sure if he was what we were looking for, especially after taking another look at his numbers last year. However, after listening to him during this interview, I feel much better. He speaks calmly and with sound reasoning during the interview with the media. He seems to understand where he stands and what he will be expected to do and what he wants to do. This guy sounds like a leader. He isn't full of chest-beating, "I am the best" cockiness, but instead seems full of confidence and calm. 

I love it and am now excited, even if he isn't our starter this year, as he is willing to bide his time.

Philly is listening to offers for Kevin Kolb. They are loving their #4 pick from last year, Kafka and have decided to franchise Vick. So, if we saw a QB with Kolb's talent in the draft, what round would we select him in? 1st round? If so, would we be willing to trade a 2nd and 5th round pick and see if Philly bites? Or would we prefer to look elsewhere, i.e. free agency (ala McNabb) or draft?

So, according to this Yahoo News Article, Larry Fitzgerald wants the Cards to acquire Kevin Kolb, and Kolb feels the same way about playing with Fitz.

I, for one, would not be opposed to obtaining Kolb and then perhaps luring our ex-Minnesotan back to play WR for him. I do believe Kolb has the makings of a franchise-type QB. Not sure if Sidney Rice will be sticking around, but adding Larry Fitzgerald to the team would make the memories of Randy Moss a thing of the past.

Ah well, here's to dreaming...

For those of you, who like me, grew up with both of these larger-than-life personalities dominating either fantasies or the tv screen (that would be Farah in the fantasies and Michael on the tv screen, you sickos!), this is sad news.

Farah Fawcett was a super sexy angel on the original Charlie's Angels. Her tight short shorts....I mean her sunny smile and golden hair made many a lad happy. Many women wanted to be just like her...an angel!

Michael Jackson was super wierd! But, he was one of the most talented singers ever. After starting out as the youngest of the Jackson 5 (A B C, 1 2 3), he went on to become a superstar on his own terms. Great hits like Billie Jean, Ben, Bad, Beat It, Wanna Be Startin Something, Dirty Diana, and the We Are The World collaboration, amongst many, many other chart-toppers, showed that Michael was a league above the rest. Then came the biggest piece of Michael Jackson's career. A full-length movie-like video that has since reinvented music videos....Thriller! This was Michael's masterpiece. Rather than taking ideas from choreographers, Michael set his mind to making this type of video reality, and did it! MTV became a success, in large part, because of this video. It spawned the imagination of millions. Over the years, he continued to put out hits, such as Smooth Criminal, Man In The Mirror (should have taken his own advice on that one), Remember the Time, You Are Not Alone, and many more.

Michael was also a clothing trend-setter. The white glove, the red jacket, the anti-lean gravity boots (Jackson filed a patent on those, #5255452).

Did you know:

Martin Scorsese directed the 18 minute music video of Bad - where Michael Jackson first start doing his classic pelvic thrust and leg swing.

Wesley Snipes was in that same video (Bad).

Remember the Time video featured Eddie Murphy, supermodel Iman, and Magic Johnson.

Black or White video featured Macaulay Culkin.

I am sure this will bring back memories for many folks who lived through all this in the 70s and 80s....what different times those were. Don Henley put it best when he said it was the "End of the Innocence".

How about bringing a 24 year old LeBron James to town. Take Amare, wrap someone else in and make it happen.

According to Fallout from LeBron's Silence, LeBron has one year left (much like Amare for us). He hasn't spoken one way or the other about leaving, but he is frustrated that Danny Perry and crew haven't given him a supporting cast with which to win. Holy crap! I think we have a real winner this time. LeBron with our run n gun ways would be devastating. Or am I just getting excited?

I was reading up on a young man that we have on the practice squad that impressed Viking's Blog writer Mike Wobschall during the OTAs. Albert Young was a standout at Iowa. This makes me wonder if perhaps the plan is to trade Chester or let him go after this season, with this guy patiently waiting in the wings for a shot. He will need to impress this year on special teams to have that shot, if he can make it through final cuts. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-sunshining&prov=ap&type=lgns

Taller than Yao Ming, this guy shoots and passes decently, with his only set-back being that he is slow. 

Part that I love best - his name is Sun MingMing. Imagine Sun playing for the Suns. Too cool. The sun is shining on Sun MingMing!

Should he join the NBA, he will be that tallest ever to play at this professional level. He barely has to jump to dunk.

Childress says that he believes Favre will remain retired....but, in true fashion with anything Favre, didn't rule any possible changes out.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ar7gn6mId5xYcg7y9y3X035DubYF?slug=ap-vikings-favrefatigue&prov=ap&type=lgns

My favorite part of reading this article was:

---------------

Punter Chris Kluwe(notes) was clearly amused by the swarm of cameras present for one of 14 on-field, non-contact workouts the Vikings have scheduled over the next month.

“FavreFavreFavreFavre, FavreFavreFavreFavre,” he said, sounding like a barking dog as he walked past.

-----------------

I actually laughed out loud when I read that. My style of humor!

According to Yahoo, we have signed Nehemiah Broughton to block for Chester and AP. Since it is a short article, I have copied/pasted it here for your reading pleasure:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Minnesota Vikings signed free agent fullback Nehemiah Broughton(notes) on Monday.

Broughton was a seventh-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins in 2005. He played in six games with the Redskins over the next two seasons but missed all of 2007 with an injury and spent last season on the practice squad.

The former Citadel player joins incumbents Naufahu Tahi(notes) and Jeff Dugan(notes) as a battering ram in front of running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylornotes)

According to 

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12341186?source=rss

Winfield is sorely disappointed that talks have broken off on signing an extension that will allow him to retire as a Viking.

Sad news indeed, sports fans. Personally, I wouldn't want to have anyone else playing that position for us. Winfield is not only a cluth and experienced defender, but noone makes clean solo tackles as well, or as often, as he does. Spend Favre's money on Winfield instead.

You know, I answered this as a reply a few minutes ago in another post, but after thinking about it, I decided to turn it into a fanpost.

Some say Sage is a career backup and will amount to nothing with his measly 6-6 record as a starter.

I think otherwise.

I believe that QBs aren't necessarily superstars straight out of college. Spending a few years in the NFL as a backup and taking a few lumps as a starter is part of the learning process. Those with character use those hard knocks and learn. Those without get sad because they are booed, consider suicide, and then sit on the bench watching Kerry Collins take over at his ripe old age.

Don't believe it? Lets take Steve Young, for example. Let’s take Steve Young. In his two years with the TB Bucs, he went 3-16, throwing 11 TDs and 21 Ints. Much worse than Sage. He was deemed a bust and traded off. After a few years, he got his shot to start again, and had a rough first year. After that, he worked out his issues and we now know him as the great San Francisco HoF QB that went to the Pro Bowl 7 times, was the MVP for Superbowl XXIX, and set a few records. Sage is just about to hit that point, and already tied an NFL record by throwing 4 TDs in the 4th Qtr alone.

I, personally, think he is about to see his glory days with the purple and gold. He has a team with a superb defense, great running game, and decent receivers. The only thing that could mess up this perfect moment in time would be the aquisition of Brett Favre. Until now, I was sitting on the fence, not sure if signing BF would be good or bad. I have jumped down off the fence and am in Sage's field, rooting for him. Should the Vikings sign BF, I will support him, like a good Viking fan, as I want to see us rise to the top. However, I would much rather see it happen on the back of someone who will be painted purple and gold in history.

Really. He name is Ryan Succop, and he confirmed yesterday that it was pronounced suck-up. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-chiefs-succop&prov=ap&type=lgns

Poor guy (well maybe not too poor since he is now, temporarily, in the NFL). Imagine living your whole life with that name and then receiving the annual title of being mister irrelevant. Luckily, Ryan has a great sense of humor about it all. I guess a little humiliation helps keep folks grounded. I know the mirror does that for me every morning.

I believe this is where we left off before the whole "dunk the Cheese in the Grape Kool-Aid" drama started up.

We now have 3 QBs. Booty, Tarvaris and Sage. Who will end up with the starting job? Personally, I think it will be Sage, and he will lead us into a new era, making believers of all past doubters.

Or...... will another surprise quarterback enter from stage right? Stay tuned on, As Ragnar Blows His Horn.

A nice, short article on LB Nick Urban's heart and morals. More folks should remember the times when these types of morals used to exist, before everyone made the dollar their guiding light in life. (I think that soapbox speech made me hit the required 75 words, so I will end it now and let you enjoy the article).

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/New-Vikings-signee-retains-his-loyalty-to-Target;_ylt=Akbe9MBFtY6FkG6Ha7I5BjJDubYF?urn=nfl,161446

Things are starting to slow down since the Draft and we seem to be spent on the Favre issue....for now. So how about some quick silliness.

This guy fell from the 17th floor of a building in Minneapolis and survived. Alcohol and horse-play, of course, were involved.

Was this a Viking fan? Probably not, since he is from Wisconsin. By his actions, he is more likely to be a Packers fan (to any Packers fans that might read this, sorry, but you ARE on a Viking forum :D).

In any case, enjoy....

http://www.startribune.com/local/11586351.html

*Thanks Bjorno. Edited to clear up misconception*

According to ESPN, he has signed with the Jags for 20 mill. I didn't catch how many years it was for, but I guess that takes him out of the running for a few years.

On a flip note, Sheldon Brown is now asking for a trade from the Eagles, because they won't restructure his remaining 4 years with the team. That pretty much bugs me when a player does that. You signed for a certain amount of years at a price. It will either be a bargain or a bust for the team signing. Play what you signed for, otherwise why even have contracts.

With Cutler, it was either you really wanted him, or you really wanted him to go away.

With Anquan, though, I think it is pretty straight-forward. The guy is super talented and super tough. His proven talent/ability would be worth quite a bit. What would you say is worth giving up to obtain him?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=rotowire-nquanoldinnterestedi&prov=rotowire&type=fantasy

He is looking at Miami.....interest him in Minnesota instead?

I am as surprised as the author that the Browns are willing to shop Braylon Edwards. Ok, so we didnt sign Housh.....how bout Braylon? A very talented, young receiver. Had some problems early on last year, but settled back into his normal self by midseason.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cnnsi-2009_bucky_brooks_03_26_bengals&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

On a side note, Yahoo sports also says that Jeff George is looking for another shot. Anyone still on his bandwagon? I loved his arm (perfect for Moss), but didn't care much for his pocket-sense.

Imagine, if you will, a different place, a different time. You are a QB and as you line up, you see Jarred Allen on your left, Julius Peppers on your right, and a pair of Williams dead center in front of you. Do you tuck into a Jeff George bundle or do you run for the tunnel?

I know he wants Allen-type money, but imagine such horrifying pressure coming at the opposing QBs play after play after play. We wouldnt have to worry about who we have at QB as much, since the other team won't have many opportunities to score. Just let AP and Ryan Longwell do their thing and collect the Lombardi at the end of the year.

It's possible. According to Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=rotowire-urtarnerisitingthere&prov=rotowire&type=fantasy Kurt Warner is heading off to visit other teams. His first stop is San Fransisco. If he signs up with the purple and gold, having Houz, BB, Wade and Rice to throw to, I believe it is safe to say that we are Superbowl Bound! We already have a better defense than Arizona, our special teams is about to improve (since it cant get much worse than under our old special teams coach). That would pretty much seal the deal. Your thoughts?