Yes, many sources have confirmed Childress brought in General Larry Platt of American Idol "Pants on the Ground" fame to meet with players today before the game.  Reportedly, Platt will also view the game from the Vikings sideline.  For what it's worth, I think this was actually a good move.  Hopefully it gets the players in a good, unstressed mindset before the game.  Others certainly find this move to be silly, unnecessary, or a distraction.  Thoughts? 

According to the great folks at NFL.com, our favorite corner will see the field on Sunday.  It's not clear if he will start or not, but apparently he will, at some level, make a much anticipated return.

In other news to fill the notorious 75-word requirement, I was reading stuff over at Behind the Steel Curtain, finding it ironic that Bengals fans are living up to some classy standards by throwing the Steelers' improbable loss to the Browns in the face of the entire fanbase.  I love that after decades of irrelevance and futility, certain people find it justified to ridicule fans of a franchise that is a consistent contender and home to the most Lombardi Trophies.  Here's to bringing the Bengals back down to Earth on Sunday.  

Not sure if this has been posted already, but the Vikings now have another player of the month in addition to Brett.  Congratulations to Favrin.  19 catches, 317 yards, and three TDs.  Glad to see  Percy's preseason "character issues" are now non-issues.  

Hey.  Here's an obligatory sentence to fulfill the asinine 75-word requirement for a fanpost.  Thanks for wasting time in reading this sentence.  This sentence is also a decoy.  Seventy-five.   

Did anybody else see Terry Bradshaw's "Fired Up" segment at the end of today's pregame show on FOX?  In ripping apart Brett Favre for his preseason antics, I swear Terry referred to the Vikings as "Minne-f***ing-sota."  I spent five minutes rewinding the clip on the DVR and I am convinced that's what he said.  It was censored, with a clear silent gap between "Minne" and "sota."  

I was surprised, and confused.  After last week's heroics, I thought the Brett and Minnesota hate trains had left their proverbial stations.  

... due to undetermined illness, as reported by Access Vikings.  What is the Viking Plague going around?  I'm not terribly concerned, but this domino action has gotta stop.

SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! SKOL VIKES! 

...are both notoriously criticized, but it's nice to see Minnesota currently sitting at number two.  Overrated?  Correct?  Possibly underrated?  On a side note, Green Bay and Chicago are sitting way down at 12 and 13, respectively.  I think these ratings are certainly debatable.  

But one thing is not.  The Vikings are alone atop the NFC North!

Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings!

Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings! Skol Vikings!

Got back from school today and turned on some Sports Center, and the "Two Minute Drill" with Chris Berman came on.  As he was going through his week one picks, I thought to myself, "Man... imagine if he actually picks the Browns.  Nah, that'd be too ridiculous."  Lo and behold, the graphic comes up:

Browns: 19

Vikings: 17

Without even a decent explanation, Berman just says, "I've got the Browns over the Vikings."  The part that angered me the most is this isn't even his upset pick for the week.  Did anybody else witness this nonsense?

*Note: I tried to find an internet link, but failed.  It aired on SC tonight.  If I find a link, I'll post it.  

Did anybody else read Gene Wojciechowski's "44 Bold Predictions" for the upcoming season?  I know speculation by the ESPN folks is not valuable currency these days, but it's nice to see predictions for another division championship, an MVP award to #28, and an offensive rookie of the year runner-up, all topped off with a historical 5th loss in the Super Bowl.  

Here's to the dream.  

Also, here's to having 75 words in your post.  

If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Paul Allen interview Bobby Wade on KFAN the other day, I would highly recommend it.  It was a great interview, reinforcing my positive opinion of #19.  The controversy of the interview, however, involves Wade's remarks regarding some statements Brian Urlacher may or may not have made about Jay Cutler.  I don't think there is anything substantial or consequential for the Bears here, but it was a moment of amusement in the day.  You can listen in with the "Purple on Demand" podcast on iTunes  (sorry the link wouldn't work, but a great podcast btw), or listen to the interview directly from KFAN's website.  

Dear Daily Norseman readers, contributors, and community:

Let me begin my post by saying I love this blog.  As a long time die-hard Vikings fan, I can say I have found a place that has consistent and frequent quality updates on the ongoings of my favorite men in purple.  I do not post on the site frequently, but I do read frequently, because in my opinion, no blog on the web covers the Vikings as well as this gem of a page does.

That said, there has been a precipitous decline in the quality and civility of certain discussions here.  I will not name names, but YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE (caps intended).  At this point, I would like to make a formal request for just an eency-weency bit more moderation on the site.  I know this idea has been discussed before, and the general consensus seems to be that everybody loves the open forum, "let each man have his say" format.  I agree, but when freedom of speech turns into a shouting match, I draw the proverbial line.

Please, please, please keep the Norseman a respectable, quality place to discuss the Minnesota Vikings.  I don't come here to yell nonsensically, and I would appreciate it if others didn't either.  There is a reason I choose this blog to get updates and insight... If I wanted asinine bickering I'd go back to watching Pardon the Interruption.

Thank you, one and all, for making this site the best Vikings blog on the world wide web.  In the words of the poster child for respectability, "stay classy" Daily Norseman.  

Amidst all of the draft chaos, the cover for Madden '10 was released, featuring not one, but two cover athletes in Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu.  Check it out here.

According to PFT, Adrian Peterson was the original likely choice, but in true LT fashion declined, perhaps to avoid the curse?  Or other reasons.  

PFT seems to think the alleged curse is a sham, but I'm curious what people think of AP's choice?  Season saver or inconsequential?