The Minnesota Vikings continue to be in the headlines. At least this time it is mostly positive. No Whizzinator jokes this week.
First, new owner Zygi Wilf has raised some eyebrows by proposing an outdoor stadium. That sounds good to me, the Vikings just haven't been the same since they moved indoors. It's time to bring the home-field-advantage back to Minnesota. I like this Zygi guy already.
There is also some early speculation about Tice's job security. A fact mentioned here last month.
And finally, Peter King gives the Vikings the preseason kiss of death by selecting them as his preseason NFC Super Bowl pick. Last year he picked the Seahawks and Jags, so this might not be a welcome endorsement. But welcome to the bandwagon, Peter!
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
McCombs says "Goodbye" in his own special way
Red McCombs said goodbye to Vikings employees in typical McCombs style, on the cheap and from a distance.
Two paragraphs to the people who ran the club he owned. Two whole paragraphs. Must be trying to save money on paper. No personal appearance, no long-winded thank yous, not even a real press conference. Just 2 paragraphs.
To paraphrase a famous Hitchhiker, it was just "So long, and thanks for all the bucks!"
Every Vikings fan can celebrate the end of the McCombs era. The "Ziggy" era has begun. And he's even suggesting a return to the great outdoors.
Enjoy your money, Red.
Two paragraphs to the people who ran the club he owned. Two whole paragraphs. Must be trying to save money on paper. No personal appearance, no long-winded thank yous, not even a real press conference. Just 2 paragraphs.
To paraphrase a famous Hitchhiker, it was just "So long, and thanks for all the bucks!"
Every Vikings fan can celebrate the end of the McCombs era. The "Ziggy" era has begun. And he's even suggesting a return to the great outdoors.
Enjoy your money, Red.
What a long, strange trip...
While many teams have had big off-seasons with a lot of positive progress, the Denver Broncos have had, by far, the strangest off-season in the NFL. At least as far as player movement is concerned.
Mike Shanahan and the Broncos imported the under-achieving Cleveland Browns defensive line, drafted Maurice Clarett, brought in a non-productive Ron Dayne, traded for DWI punter Todd Sauerbraun, and now have signed the immortal Jerry Rice.
In an age where team-first attitude and team-chemistry are constantly cited as reasons for the success of the Patriots and, to a lesser extent, other teams, it is a bit strange that Shanahan would bring in so many potential 'problem-guys'.
The Broncos probably didn't have too many choices in how they approached this off-season due to their salary-cap issues. But still, there are some risky players here. It might be difficult to get some of these guys to buy into Shanhan's philosophy.
But if most of them live up to their potential, the Broncos could be much improved overall. As a Broncos' fan transplanted to Minnesota, I have seen first-hand what a single malcontent (Randy Moss) can do to a team. If any of the guys the Broncos are taking a chance on start to head down that path, Shanahan will have to react quickly to stop that attitude from spreading.
Mike Shanahan and the Broncos imported the under-achieving Cleveland Browns defensive line, drafted Maurice Clarett, brought in a non-productive Ron Dayne, traded for DWI punter Todd Sauerbraun, and now have signed the immortal Jerry Rice.
In an age where team-first attitude and team-chemistry are constantly cited as reasons for the success of the Patriots and, to a lesser extent, other teams, it is a bit strange that Shanahan would bring in so many potential 'problem-guys'.
The Broncos probably didn't have too many choices in how they approached this off-season due to their salary-cap issues. But still, there are some risky players here. It might be difficult to get some of these guys to buy into Shanhan's philosophy.
But if most of them live up to their potential, the Broncos could be much improved overall. As a Broncos' fan transplanted to Minnesota, I have seen first-hand what a single malcontent (Randy Moss) can do to a team. If any of the guys the Broncos are taking a chance on start to head down that path, Shanahan will have to react quickly to stop that attitude from spreading.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Intelligence in short supply....
NFL players have never been celebrated for their intellectual contributions to society, but a few players have recently shown that intelligence is not the least bit necessary to play in the NFL.
Bill Romanowski got away with cheating the NFL's steroid policy for an entire career. He picked up a few Super Bowl rings along the way and was respected for his talent and play. Not content with that, 'Romo' decided to go very public and completely destroy his reputation, and possibly cancel a trip to Canton, to brag about how he cheated.
Onterrio Smith, suspended last year for 4 games for drug-policy violations, may have literally pi$$ed away another year of football for his Whizzinator incident.
Ricky Williams gave up a brilliant career, and also a chance at the Hall, to pursue holistic medicine, pot-smoking, and sweets. By the way, does anyone besides me get a chuckle out of this line?:
"He (Williams) also enrolled at the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, Calif., studying holistic medicine. "
Now he's out of money and wants back, but only if it works out ok for him.
And then there's Kellen Winslow Jr, who, after sitting out most of last season with injuries, decided to celebrate his recovery by taking a costly little joyride on a motorcycle.
It never ceases to amaze me that grown-up people with talent are so willing to throw away their futures with laziness, ego, and just plain stupidity.
But players aren't the only ones with intelligence issues. Nick Saban is apparently prepared to welcome 'Dr' Ricky back with open arms. Does he not see the endless possibilities for disaster in that?
And here is Ricky Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, on Ricky's return:
"I think he will come through this and be very productive as a player and be a good role model once again," Steinberg told Game Night on ESPN Radio. "We've seen so many situations in this world where people go through troubles and come back and are usually productive. There are players in the NFL who are involved in murder and involved in situations who are now doing endorsements. There are players who are involved in very serious situations where they hurt other people and somehow they are accepted. Ricky Williams was mostly destructive to himself."
Don't you feel better, now?
Bill Romanowski got away with cheating the NFL's steroid policy for an entire career. He picked up a few Super Bowl rings along the way and was respected for his talent and play. Not content with that, 'Romo' decided to go very public and completely destroy his reputation, and possibly cancel a trip to Canton, to brag about how he cheated.
Onterrio Smith, suspended last year for 4 games for drug-policy violations, may have literally pi$$ed away another year of football for his Whizzinator incident.
Ricky Williams gave up a brilliant career, and also a chance at the Hall, to pursue holistic medicine, pot-smoking, and sweets. By the way, does anyone besides me get a chuckle out of this line?:
"He (Williams) also enrolled at the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, Calif., studying holistic medicine. "
Now he's out of money and wants back, but only if it works out ok for him.
And then there's Kellen Winslow Jr, who, after sitting out most of last season with injuries, decided to celebrate his recovery by taking a costly little joyride on a motorcycle.
It never ceases to amaze me that grown-up people with talent are so willing to throw away their futures with laziness, ego, and just plain stupidity.
But players aren't the only ones with intelligence issues. Nick Saban is apparently prepared to welcome 'Dr' Ricky back with open arms. Does he not see the endless possibilities for disaster in that?
And here is Ricky Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, on Ricky's return:
"I think he will come through this and be very productive as a player and be a good role model once again," Steinberg told Game Night on ESPN Radio. "We've seen so many situations in this world where people go through troubles and come back and are usually productive. There are players in the NFL who are involved in murder and involved in situations who are now doing endorsements. There are players who are involved in very serious situations where they hurt other people and somehow they are accepted. Ricky Williams was mostly destructive to himself."
Don't you feel better, now?
Thursday, May 19, 2005
A Full-Sized Ditka
Many years ago, Mike Ditka was a Chicago icon (still is, actually) that Bears fans loved above all things. One Saturday Night Live skit had rabid Bears fans discussing how great Ditka was and how he compared to other legends. When one character asked the other how Ditka stacked up against one legend, the other guy asked "Would that be a full-sized Ditka, or a mini-Ditka?"
While debating which movie to go see recently, my kids talked me into going to see "Kicking and Screaming". Not being a Will Ferrell fan, this was not high on my list. But knowing that Iron Mike was in it, I thought it might be worth it. The only question was, would it be a mini-Ditka? Nope. This was a full-sized Ditka.
The movie was typical Will Ferrell silliness, but Ditka really stole the show for a while. Playing himself, he is the neighbor (and arch-rival) of Ferrell's movie-dad. I won't give anything away except to say that Ditka has some of the funniest lines and parts in the movie.
Overall, "Kicking and Screaming" was a great sports movie with a good message for kids and a lot of laughs. But it is the full-sized Ditka that really makes the movie fun for everyone.
While debating which movie to go see recently, my kids talked me into going to see "Kicking and Screaming". Not being a Will Ferrell fan, this was not high on my list. But knowing that Iron Mike was in it, I thought it might be worth it. The only question was, would it be a mini-Ditka? Nope. This was a full-sized Ditka.
The movie was typical Will Ferrell silliness, but Ditka really stole the show for a while. Playing himself, he is the neighbor (and arch-rival) of Ferrell's movie-dad. I won't give anything away except to say that Ditka has some of the funniest lines and parts in the movie.
Overall, "Kicking and Screaming" was a great sports movie with a good message for kids and a lot of laughs. But it is the full-sized Ditka that really makes the movie fun for everyone.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Only One Thing Lacking for Vikings
I disagree with Cris Carter's take on the Vikings. Character is an issue with this team. The parade of incidents in Minnesota football the last few years has been a disgrace to the team. And it starts at the top.
Randy Moss got away with everything, literally, while in Minnesota. He wasn't traded because of the character issue, he was traded because he walked off the field on Mike Tice in Washington. If character were a reason to trade him, he would have been gone shortly after striking an officer with his car. It wasn't until he dissed Tice that he was shown the door.
Kelly Campbell has issues in Florida, and now Onterrio Smith has embarrassed the team with his complete lack of common sense. But what can Tice say about any of this? Nothing, he is being investigated for scalping Super Bowl tickets.
The Vikings have made all the rights moves this off-season to make them contenders in the NFC. The only thing they lack is a bit of character.
The newest potential majority owner of the Vikings, Zygmunt "Ziggy" Wilf, is a big-time philanthropist who seems to be long on good-character traits. We can only hope that is true and that it trickles down through the organization.
Randy Moss got away with everything, literally, while in Minnesota. He wasn't traded because of the character issue, he was traded because he walked off the field on Mike Tice in Washington. If character were a reason to trade him, he would have been gone shortly after striking an officer with his car. It wasn't until he dissed Tice that he was shown the door.
Kelly Campbell has issues in Florida, and now Onterrio Smith has embarrassed the team with his complete lack of common sense. But what can Tice say about any of this? Nothing, he is being investigated for scalping Super Bowl tickets.
The Vikings have made all the rights moves this off-season to make them contenders in the NFC. The only thing they lack is a bit of character.
The newest potential majority owner of the Vikings, Zygmunt "Ziggy" Wilf, is a big-time philanthropist who seems to be long on good-character traits. We can only hope that is true and that it trickles down through the organization.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Eagles Won't Renegotiate
Thank you, Eagles!! Enough is enough! Drew "Rengotiatin'" Rosenhaus is apparently bent on destroying the NFL and doesn't care who gets burned in the process. Every time he signs a player, he starts asking for more money. Terrel Owens is crying over 'only' getting $49 million, and now Rueben Droughns, with only one decent season under his belt, is crying for more.
There are a few teams willing to pay anything for over-hyped ego-maniacs. The Raiders come to mind. But the most successful teams have been the ones to just say no to these players, like the Patriots and Eagles. And look where those teams ended up last year.
I am glad to see the Eagles standing up to Owens. I praised Owens last year for his change of attitude. But the change was a scam. Owens is one of the great talents of this era. But, like Randy Moss, he chooses to let his flaws overshadow his talents and gifts. And Drew Rosenhaus is a willing accomplice in Owens' self-destructive behavior.
If more teams would stand up to these guys, those teams would have more money to build themselves from the ground up.
There are a few teams willing to pay anything for over-hyped ego-maniacs. The Raiders come to mind. But the most successful teams have been the ones to just say no to these players, like the Patriots and Eagles. And look where those teams ended up last year.
I am glad to see the Eagles standing up to Owens. I praised Owens last year for his change of attitude. But the change was a scam. Owens is one of the great talents of this era. But, like Randy Moss, he chooses to let his flaws overshadow his talents and gifts. And Drew Rosenhaus is a willing accomplice in Owens' self-destructive behavior.
If more teams would stand up to these guys, those teams would have more money to build themselves from the ground up.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Quality Wins -- 2004
The Cold, Hard, Football Facts guys have posted an interesting article on quality wins. Every team but one, the Jaguars, that had a winning record against quality opponents made the playoffs. In the NFC, only 2 teams had winning records against quality opponents, and they played in the NFC Championship. The 2 best in the AFC also faced off in the AFC Championship.
Green Bay was 0-3, and they got blown out of the playoffs early. If there is still a doubt as to where the real NFL Championship game was played, just check out the Patriots' and Steelers' records.
To be the best, you have to beat the best. Regularly.
Green Bay was 0-3, and they got blown out of the playoffs early. If there is still a doubt as to where the real NFL Championship game was played, just check out the Patriots' and Steelers' records.
To be the best, you have to beat the best. Regularly.
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