That is according to NFL.com. 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81d6b708/article/first-20-picks-of-2011-nfl-draft-determined?module=HP_spotlight

I checked a few mock draft sites* and they had us taking Jake Locker-QB, Wash. In both drafts, Locker was the 4th QB taken. (Luck, Newton and Mallet were taken ahead of Locker) Now I know this is way too early and QB's are typically over-rated at this time of year. But from the numerous mocks I saw last week, many mockers (50%?) have Locker going to us. I am reserving judgement for now; I just find it interesting.

*these mocks were dated today but had us drafting #14. Which means they did their mock b4 yesterday's games. Still; the other 3 QB's were all taken in the top 10. And it is not a guarantee that it is a QB we will take with our choice.

My brother called me earlier today. He is heading out of town for a conference on Thursday. Normally, I would laugh at him for having to attend one of these things. But his conference is in Chicago. His plane arrives in time to get to the Twins/ChiSox game. And he's got really nice tickets. For a nice price. And he really isn't a sports fan.

Yeah; he called me to rub it in. It worked. But that's what brothers do.

Many of you youngsters grew up playing baseball reality games on your TV or computer. EA Sports, Wii and all the others that I don't know the names of; are staples of my nephew and his friends. Their football counterpart, Madden __, is a world on to itself. Tournaments of these games get national coverage and their own ESPN specials. That is now. In my day as a youngster (the early 70's), there were board games with dice and individual player playing cards.

The game my friends and I played was Strat-O-Matic baseball. (we also played Strat-O-Matic football and basketball) It is a dice game where you toss three dice for each at bat. The outcome of one of the die would determine whether you referred to the batter's card or the opposing pitcher's card. The other two die would determine the outcome of that at bat. Games could usually be finished in 15-20 minutes, once you got the hang of the game. We played for hours.

We would play in my friends camper, my neighbors tree house, the screened in porch at my house and anywhere else we wanted. Sleepovers in the backyards usually involved a game or two. And since each players' card were calibrated to each season, we could play the 1927 Yankees against the 1961 Yankees. We replayed the 1965 World Series many times. In our world, the Twins almost always won! (wink, wink) The 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers and the 1971 Pirates were two of my favorite teams. You can just imagine what our All-Star games were like.

Last month I bought the current version of the board game at a local store. I then sent off for some "old-timer" teams. My 1965 Twins beat my 2009 Twins two games to one. Mauer was hot, but Tony Oliva was the series MVP. I purchased my beloved 1953 Dodgers. Roy Campanella homered twice against my 1961 Yankees. And all this is done without electronics and the incessant noise that comes with them. It is a very relaxing trip down memory lane and a fun way to pass time while watching the Twins on TV today. (I turn the sound down on the TV)

My nephew and I played a few games out on my patio last week. He was amazed that we could play a sports reality game where there were no outlets! And rather than his face glued to a TV screen, we talked to each other as we played! My old school game may not be better, but it is different. My planned game tonight is the 1962 Giants vs. the 1961 Reds. Go Willie Mays and Frank Robinson!

These two sports heroes were both drafted #1 overall by their hometown team in their respective sport. Both are considered the best at their position in their game today. Both are considered one of the best in their sport today and both look to be future hall of famers. Neither has ever won a championship title at the pro level. And both have recently signed or agreed to terms, on HUGE contracts. And that is where the similarities end.

One is still a hometown icon. The other is a hometown pariah. He is called a traitor and worse. I don't blame LeBron, but I am grateful that Joe signed here. Joe could have tested free agency and probably signed for more with a big market team. Instead, Joe will pursue his championship dream at a new stadium in his hometown. LeBron went the free agent route. He probably will sign for less than Cleveland would have paid him. He opted for a team of 3 superstars/mercenaries in his quest for a title. I am sure South Beach and the Florida climate had a little to do with this. (And maybe the lack of a state income tax.)

Personally, I hope both win a title soon. (like this year for Joe.) But LeBron, if he ever wins that elusive title, will always have a stigma attached to it. He let down his hometown fans.

We fans, we are a fickle bunch.

First of all, I am a lifelong Vikings fan. Born in Minnesota and raised in the Purple People Eaters hey day; I can be nothing else. But my dad's side of the family are all Wisconsinites. So I am use to Packer fans "ruining" family functions whenever they occur. Our family cabin is also in Wisconsin. My lifelong battle with the Green and Gold, is and has been a source of amusement since my uncles tried to convert me to Packerdom when I was a young lad.

That said; I wish to tell you about my one and only trek (so far) to Lambeau Field. It was majestic. Compared to our oversized television studio (the Metrodome) and our old Met Stadium; your place ROCKS! It was on one of those picture perfect autumn afternoons; bright blue skies, a few clouds, a little breeze and the fall colors still hanging on. And I personally united practically all the fans that day. Both Packers and visitors. How? I wore my Vikings jersey! Since it was a Bears/Packers game, all the fans were in unison in their collective derision of me. No politician was ever such a uniter of two more divergent sets of people.

The ribbing aside, I had a wonderful time. Seats about 20 rows up on the 40 yd. line. I don't think I ever enjoyed an NFL game more. Once the game started, most fans ignored me and my jersey, and concentrated on the game. The Bears won 30-13 that day. It was Oct. 25, 1992.  The games most memorable play was a fake punt. The Bears punter Chris Gardocki passed to RB Mike Green right in front of me. The play stood that day and propelled the Bears to victory. It was later claimed by the NFL to have been of questionable legality. (I remembered the play but not not the individual players or the exact date or score. Gotta love search engines) All in all, a great experience.

My point on writing about this trip down Memory Lane. The stadium issue in Minnesota. Be thankful Packer fans that you have an iconic stadium to watch your team play. We, on the other hand, have a KMart bluelight special of a TV studio. Our new Twins stadium makes this stark difference all the more clear. I hope this issue is resolved before the Vikings pull up and leave town. I would hate for my life long amusement with Packer fans to end on such a sour note. If the unthinkable does come to pass: Thanks for the memories.

Note: I normally just lurk here and read the posts to keep tabs on the competition. And I am a fantasy football junkie. I do on occasion however, comment on Wisconsin beer. I am an expert in this area. ;-P

I will take a break from the legal and political, and swerve into the surreal. Yes, some 2011 NFL mock drafts. It is never too early to speculate about something that is so ridiculously irrelevant that it boggles the mind.

That being said; in the first two mocks I looked at, the Vikings were taking Terrelle Pryor-QB, Ohio St. Oh good, more QB speculation in next years draft. ;-0   Below is a link to a mock draft database. At the time I looked at this database (a few minutes ago-check the time stamp) the top two mocks are the one I am referencing. Your top two mocks will depend on when you look at the link.

http://walterfootball.com/draftdata.php

No comment or editorial from me, just thought it interesting. And now back to reality.

We are at the point of the draft, where semi-rabid draftniks like me, really have no idea about the skill level of the remaining prospects. But that won't stop me from opining. Here is a list of O-lineman that I hope the Vikes are considering at 100. They are in order of preference.

1. Bruce Campbell-OT, Maryland. Has had a more epic drop than Clausen. His talent is evident. His passion for the game is a real question mark. Worth the risk? Probably. But we need more help in the middle than the edge. A puzzler.

2. Mitch Petrus-OG, Arkansas. A former TE, so he would be an athletic guard. Concern here is his strength to handle elite DT's.

3. Matt Tennant-C, Boston College. Probably the safest pick here. Not flashy, but dependable.

4. Marshall Newhouse-OG, Texas Christian U. The wildcard. If I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for the homerun; this would be my choice. This workhorse is intriguing.

Of course if the "triangle of authority" don't  go O-line, then I hope somebody here falls to our next pick.

ESPN reports that the Big Ten may expand soon. An announcement could come as soon as July 1st. Actual expansion may be as soon as 2 years from this summer. I guess the BIG Ten Network is a big draw for us.

The expansion would probably be 3 or 5 teams; making the conference a 14 or 16 team league. Syracuse, Rutgers, Texas, Missouri and Notre Dame are on the short list. This would make the network a national draw versus the regional appeal it enjoys today.

I know this will tick off some people here at DN, but I do not feel we should draft a QB this year. (This assumes Grandpa Favre returns.) The reason is simple: Our window of opportunity for a Super Bowl title may be on it's last year. Then we will have to start to replace veterans and free agents who retire/leave. So, we must do everything to improve our team for this year. Drafting a QB, who would probably not ever be activated all year, does nothing to improve our team on the field this year.

We need interior OL, def back help, depth on the d-line and depth at RB. Athletes, who can help on special team coverage, is a bonus for later round picks. We have three QB's on the roster now. One is a HOFer and the other two can fill in for a game or two, if needed. The future is now and "wasting" a pick on a benchwarmer is not a wise use of a draft pick this year. Therefore, I hope that the Vikings use all their picks on players who could potentially help THIS year.

Besides, next year's QB crop is supposedly stronger. Go ahead and sign some undrafted guy with potential for practice fodder. Feel free to flame me, but I want the Vikings to do everything to win this year. Our chances are that good.

The Big Ten has sent three teams to the Sweet 16. That is more than any other conference. The Big 12, SEC and Big East each sent two teams. Seven other conferences sent one team each. Not that this means diddly squat. I'm just sayin'...  

Some ballyhooed conferences (think east coast) have proven to be over rated. And west coast hoops is not as down as advertised. I guess, in the end, one must judge teams on their own merits; not by the conference to which they belong. But at least until Thursday, the Big Ten rules.

Our Favre-ther who art in Mississippi hallowed be thy name.
Thy bowl will come, it will be won, In Miami as it is in the
Dome. Give us this Sunday, Our weekly win. Give us touchdown
passes, but do not let others pass against us. Lead us not
into frustration, but deliver us to the Super Bowl. For
thine is the MVP, the best of the NFC, and the glory of the
Purple People Eaters now and forever. Amen.

*Copied & pasted from a several times forwarded email I received. Original author unknown.

I love this year's bye week for our beloved Purple. It occurs on the most important weekend of the year. Yes, I am talking about the Breeder's Cup weekend for horse racing fans. I have handicapped the races. I just need post positions to be drawn and some horses to choose which race they will enter. A quick check of the weather forecast for southen California and I am good to go. I have Fri. off to place all my wagers @ Canterbury. My recliner is ready for Saturday's races. Hopefully I will need to return to Canterbury on Sunday to collect my numerous winnings.

To you deer hunters: I wish you a safe and successful opening day hunt. I will be warm while cheering on my 4-legged money burners. Next week? Back to tracking my beloved Vikings. (My handicapping reveals that Europeon based horses will do well. That info & $2.50 will get you a Starbuck's coffee.)  Once again, I thank the NFL schedule makers for this master stroke in bye week scheduling.