So it looks like I scored some tickets to the Vikings-Bears Monday night game on December 20th.

I am a life long Vikes fan from central PA and have never been to Minnesota let alone been able to see the Vikings play live.  I'm graduating from Penn State just days before the game and this figures to be a nice little graduation present. I am just excited that I can dust off the old #84 jersey that I got for my 12th birthday and wear it proudly once again (I got it extra large so I could wear it forever, only to see my boy traded.  Same thing for my Scott Rolen Phillies jersey....barf).

As of right now it tentatively looks like we will be flying in Sunday morning and leaving Tuesday night.  I was just wondering if you kindly folks had any advice as far as good places to stay, bars to check out etc...  As well as any just general information that might be helpful for a first time visitor to Minneapolis/ The Metrodome.

Thanks in advance, Skol Vikes!

I figured with the NFL season just around the corner I would find out what the scoop is with our former Nittany Lions that are now in the NFL.

Anthony Adams DT, Bears: Anthony has a starting NT position nailed down for the Chicago Bears.

Jay Alford DT, Giants: Jay's season is over with a knee injury and he is now on IR.

Levi Brown OT, Cardinals:  He'll continue being the starting RT for the defending NFC champs.

Deon Butler WR, Seahawks:  Deon has impressed many in his short time in Seattle and as a rookie has worked his way into the 3rd/4th WR spot and will be returning some punts.  Probably looks best out of our rookies so far.

Kerry Collins QB, Titans: Kerry returns his 15 year NFL experience as the man in Tennessee.

Dan Connor LB, Panthers: Dan only played 3 games in his rookie season, but is listed as the #2 MLB for 2009.

Bobby Engran WR, Chiefs: The long time Seahawk brings his experience to KC, looks to continue his solid 2-4WR play.

Maurice Evans DE, Buccaneers:  Mo was signed by the Bucs and is on the 53 man as a reserve DE.  Congrats on making a roster Mo.

John Gilmore  TE, Buccaneers: John continue to be the Buc's 3rd TE.  Did have 1 TD catch and 150yds last year.

Robbie Gould K, Bears: Still the starting PK for the Chicago Bears.

Tamba Hali DE, Chiefs: Has had production drop since rookie season, and will be playing some OLB in the Chiefs new 3-4 scheme.

Bryant Johnson WR, Lions: Bryant is getting a chance to start in Detroit after being a consistent 3 for his first 6 years.

Larry Johnson Jr, RB, Chiefs:  The embattled RB looks to regain his footing as a go to guy.  If he keeps his nose clean, is a pro bowl talent.

Ed Johnson DT, Colts: The troubled young DT has been given yet another chance to prove himself.  It will be awhile beofer he regains enough trust and PT to re-take his old starting DT job.

Jeremy Kapinos P, Packers:  Kapinos won the starting P job in camp this year after being signed and playing in the last few games for the Pack last season

Jimmy Kennedy DT, Vikings: Currently occupying a reserve role behind the 'Williams Wall' in Minny.

Justin King CB, Rams: Justin missed his entire rookie season after showing some promise in camp.  He is a back up corner and could see some time in the nickel.

Aaron Maybin DE/LB, Bills: Bill's first pick is expected to contribute as a pass rusher immediately.

Sean McHugh TE, Steelers: Sean has been placed on IR for the season.

Kareem Mckenzie OT, Giants:  Kareem is holding down the RT position for the G-men.

Rich Orhnberger OG, Patriots: The 4th round pick is slated to be the back-up at RG for the Pats.

Paul Posluszny LB, Bills:  The starting MLB and leader of Penn State Buffalo campus's defense.

Tyler Reed OG, Bears: Well, he is a reserve gaurd, thats about all I can find.

Michael Robinson RB, 49ers:  Our beloved M-Rob may not get the carries, but he is the ST captain for the 9ers.

Bryan Scott FS, Bills: Starting FS for the defense of the apparently PSU loving Bills.

Tony Stewart TE, Raiders: Back-up tight end for the raiders, looks to get some more PT this season.

Cameron Wake LB/DE, Dolphins: After an insane two seasons in Canada, Cameron(formerly Derek) saw a lot of interest and was signed by Parcells.  He'll have a role similar to that of Maybins.  Get sacks.

Derrick Williams WR, Lions:  Wheels is listed as the back up to Calvin Johnson and will have his usual duties of returning kicks and punts.

- Apparently AQ landed on the Steeler's practice squad, but I haven't heard about our other seniors from last year's squad, also the likes of Smolko, Macklin, Phillips, Watson, and Hunt are floating around.  Alan Zemaitis and Rodney Kinlaw are tearing it up in the CFL.  And at last sighting, Yaacov Yisrael was running routes for the Pittsburgh RiverRats.

So, after much moving and lack of internet access, I thought I would get in another preseason NLOT.

AJ Wallace, PHD: First day of classes..Sheeeeesh y r classes so long.. :  How do you even know what length your classes are?

Brandon Ware: Lmao at da hub bitch tryna tell me 2 move.....chile please!! :  Brandon, she asked you to move because you were simultaneously blocking the aquariums and the entrance to Chic-Fil-A and the book store.

Jeff Brooks: is a jerk. I know. Do me a favor and call me jerk one more time... :  You wouldn't like Jeff Brooks when he is angry...

Andrew Jones Goes Hard: Doin Laundry 

LJ Jr's Glass House: Hahahahahahaa DAMN. Brandon Marshall!!!! :   I seem to remember something about a pot and a kettle and the color black

DC 17: Arm feels like its about to fall off haha...doesn't matter cuz we gettin better :  I like to think that his arm is tired from all of his fist pumping.

Special Guest Celebrity Tweet:

Rainn Wilson is a very funny man: True story: a box of rubber gloves was spilled on the road- gloves everywhere. My anus instinctively puckered.

I was recently thinking about that dreaded game at Iowa last year, and major upsets in general in sports.  After this happens sometimes the winning underdog claims they are better than the team they beat.  This is actually false.  Given the circumstances of that day, you won but that doesn't make you a better overall team.  Was Stanford better than USC? Was App St better than UM? Were the Giants better than the Pats? Ehh I think most people would say not.  8-9 times out of ten the losers of those games would come out on top.  It is kind of a grey area in sports where W-L is usually the bottom line.  I would guess that about 90% of the time, a winning team is the "better" team but these upsets are the other 10%.  It is just something that has kind of bugged me for awhile and it is the thing that makes those losses so hard to stomach; you know you are the better team and you should have won.  As a fan the hardest thing to do is accept if someone is better than you and upsets throw wrenches into the intricate thought process.

Head to head is the biggest metric of deciding "who is better" however, if a team is clearly better by every other metric, the h2h pales is kind of my thought here.  It goes both ways too, was Miami probably "better" than PSU in 87? Yeah, even though us die hard PSU guys/gals would never want to admit.  Were we better than Iowa last year? Yeah, but I would not expect any Iowa fans to bow down to that, I would expect them to celebrate that win.

Anyways, I would much rather be a fan of team that it is considered an upset if you lose, not an upset if you win.  It is obviously never fun to lose, but If it is a huge deal that you lost, that is a pretty good sign that you are a great team. 

This isn't a dig on Iowa or Stanford or the Giants or App St or anyone else.  You won, gradulations.  You earned every bit of that victory.  I like underdogs if they are not going against a favorite team of mine; it's just really more of an observation.  It is these types of situations that make me love cfb and sports in general.  Anything is possible and the ultimate goal of determining the best team or individual is an incredibly subjective argument which provides for lively discussion in forums like the one we have right here.

I hope any of this makes sense to people, it is kind of a tough thing for me to verbalize.

Well, the people get what the people want.  Or something.  Here is another installment of NLOT.  I hope it is as fun for you as it is for me.

Brandon Ware is not impressed by Armando Allen or Daniel Herron: How da hell did Royster NOT get put on da Doak Walker watchlist?? Fuckin Armando Allen & Daneil Herron? I coulda swore he had better stats?

Jeff "Emo Kid" Brooks?: is thinking what the hell is going on, am I the only and only person that feels this way?

is at crossroads. Which way should I go?   is thinking that if you love something cherish it, because if you don't, another deserves it.  Geez, cheer up man, we need you this year.

BATTLESMASH 09-10?(via CORNLEY SMASHTWEET): Just got done playing with the team, should be a great year. Showering, then going to chilis with T Battle, last sit-down. Passing the torch

Chris Babb is impressed by the SMASHFEST: looking at j corn and t battle at chilis.. i cant believe it.. wow.. should i get their signature???

LJ Jr. in Jail?: Anutha day down!!!!...by the way im reading everyones tweets jus to see how you outsiders get to enjoy August!!! and im Stuck in jail lol  Is it bad that I thought he might actually be in jail(not training camp)?

James McDonald has big inebriated dreams: Why do I just feel like greatness is in front of me? No matter my situation, I feel like I'm destined...but to be what?

Justin King is not a fan of training camp: drove 9 hrs today from pittsburgh to St. louis...to check in to hell on earth aka CAMP

DC 17 Makes me feel confident the WRs will be Ready: Good morning everyone...its a good day to go throw some weights around..playin pitch and catch with the wideouts later     He will fist pump us all the way to another Big10 title this season, mark my words.

SPECIAL CELEBRITY GUEST TWEET:

Pete Carroll will always be on my shit list:  watching manny reminds me of watching willie mays when i was a kid... something huge always seems like it's about to happen.  FAIL.  Never ever compare that joke to Willie Mays. (BTW he is on Manny's nuts for like 5 posts on his page)

PS: In case you haven't noticed, Brandon Ware is incredibly entertaining with his posts. I suggest reading them frequently. Lulz.

So, I, like many of you, was not so sure about this twitter thing.  But I figured I could use some humor, so I began looking at some esteemed PSU students/alumni.  Also, ReadingRambler gets so much love for his verious series, so here is  my shot.

Also, tip of the hat to Conan O'Brien who has a similar segment on his new show.  Very Funny.

AJ Wallace's New Love Affair: LIKE THA NEW I-PHONE,I TOUCH HER N TURN HER ON!!

Aaron Maybin's Holdout: LOL, and the media drama begins...guess imma have to take all the haters into camp with me

DC 17 Scoffs at tWWL: I found it hysterical when they talked about me being too big on college football live...I played at the same weight last season!! Hilarious

Brandon Ware's New Workout Plan: Shit I might sleep all day

Jordan Norwood Hates Your Parents on Facebook: ppl over, let's say, 40--that are on facebook--are way too into using facebook applications and i asking that i do too... really irks me

Cornley Smash Really wants a Breakfast Sandwich: I wanna breakfast sandwich so bad!

and ponders where a certain musical genius has gone: What ever happened to Petey Pablo?

Our Basketball team really enjoys "Chillin"

Cammeron Woodyard: chillin.. dig

Andrew Jones: Chilllin!!!

David Jackson: chilln!

Special Guest Celebrity Tweet:

Play4Brew: The Gopher Nation continues to grow!! It is a great day to be a Golden Gopher!!

And that is why Twitter is now awesome in my eyes.