Archives For Minnesota Vikings

Come Home Randy

Kevin James Duban —  October 5, 2010

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports has reported that the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots are close to reaching a deal that would move All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss to Minnesota.

Over 12 years ago, Randy Moss entered the NFL, joining a Viking’s team that was solid, but lacking the offensive spark required to be considered a legitimate Super bowl contender. The 1998 season (Moss’ rookie year), the Vikings finished with a 15-1 record, breaking offensive records and shredding defenses.

For 7 years, Moss not only led the league in many passing categories (six consecutive years with 1,000 receiving yards), but was a scourge to the Packers, the likes of which they have not seen since #4 joined the purple.

With his lanky frame, explosive speed, and soft hands, Moss found his way into the hearts Vikings fans. In spite of on the field antics like squirting a referee with a water bottle and pretending to moon the Packers at Lambeau (for which he is still remembered fondly by many), Moss represents a time when offense and the deep ball reigned supreme in Minnesota. So while the possibility of bringing Randy back to the land of the Norseman has been relished by many Vikings fans ever since he left, the present need for an outside wide receiver to complement Percy Harvin and All Pro running back Adrian Peterson makes the reunion more tantalizing than ever. And who is that old QB #4? I hope he is not losing any sleep at the thought of having a legitimate deep threat on his team. It seems like he could have some fun with that spry, young Randy kid.

Imagine the anguish of in the heart of a Packer’s fan as they watch the god of the Green Bay Packers come to back Lambeau Field and throw to that awesome, arrogant receiver they have loathed for so long! Now that would be true Glee, unlike some cheesy, flamboyant TV show spewing pop culture rubbish on a weekly basis.

As a life-long Vikings fan, the thought of Randy Moss coming home to Minnesota makes me giddy with joy. Pairing Moss with Farve is a win-win: a win for the Vikings and a win for Vikings Fans. The electric feeling of watching Moss streaking down the sideline, beating defenders deep, would be complemented by an explosive running attack led by Adrian Peterson. The HHH Metrodome just hasn’t been the same since Moss left. Come home Randy, come home!!!

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Favre Might Be, Could Be Somewhat Indecisive – but Will Be Fun to Watch

David Gregory —  August 19, 2010 — 2 Comments

“Meh.”

That was my first reaction.

Brett Favre is returning to the Minnesota Vikings. For the second straight summer, he is swooping in as conquering hero to “have fun out there” and lead his team to playoff glory. The fact he is returning should not come as a surprise. Brett Favre is the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns, interceptions, consecutive games started and un-retirements.

The man’s employment status was a touchstone for many NFL fans in the latter half of the previous decade. His “will he/won’t he” flip-flopping raised questions of what Packer fans actually meant to Favre, and what his offseason actions meant to his legacy. In the middle of his third consecutive year of un-retirement, I believe the American sports fan has finally accepted that this uncertainty is part of the Gunslinger’s character, for better or worse. He is a player bound for Canton when -if – he can pull the trigger on a lasting retirement.

While the rest of the country leans toward ambivalence, joyful Viking fans can place their Tavaris Jackson jerseys back into storage. The nice thing about finally coming to accept Favre as indecisive is that his comeback is limited to a purely football issue. And in football, Favre remains relevant.

He had perhaps his best statistical season in ’09, and minus a characteristically boneheaded interception that killed Minnesota late in the NFC Championship game against New Orleans, was the offensive MVP for the Vikes. Favre has certainly earned the right to return, the right to be courted by a planeful of teammates begging him to come back. With no. 4 behind center, Minnesota plans to contend again for a trip to the Super Bowl.

I’ll be in the stands for the Vikes’ home opener against my Dolphins (sorry, born into it) on Sept. 19, and the game will be more exciting for Favre’s presence. His crazy, heroic, and questionable throws are still viable, despite what I said last year before his return (and I’m eating those words now). It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Vikes in the Super Bowl, winning it or losing it because of Favre.

In the meantime, his crazy, heroic (for Vikes’ fans) and questionable returns to the game will be met with that “meh” reaction. Alert me when the regular season starts, and Favre does something that’s not half-hearted: throwing the ball.

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The Faces of Sorrow in Viking Land

Goose Moosely —  January 25, 2010 — Leave a comment

Our heartiest & warmest condolences to the denizens of Viking nation.

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Vikes Play Own Version of ‘I Love the 90s’

David Gregory —  August 18, 2009 — 1 Comment

Ever see an actor in person and feel like they look different on film? Or hear a musician live and find the sounds incomparable to what’s on your iTunes? Well, I just saw an image that looks completely different to me than the photoshopped versions that have existed for months – a photo of Brett Favre in Vikings gear.

Brett Favre Vikings CampAnd, just like those other examples, something feels a little off.

Three weeks after declaring that he couldn’t convince his body to undergo the strain of another full season (and three weeks after I compared him to Meg Ryan on this site), Favre has signed on to be the Minnesota Vikings quarterback. Just hours after getting off the team’s personal jet in St. Paul, Favre was taking snaps at practice, getting ready to start in Friday’s exhibition against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Favre Loves The Vikes, but Just Wants to be Friends

David Gregory —  July 28, 2009 — 1 Comment

Brett Favre has decided to remain retired, eschewing a chance to start for the Minnesota Vikings in favor of filming Wrangler jean commercials. The former Green Bay Packer star had led Minnesota on in the fashion of a junior-high dalliance (does Brad Childress like me in his offensive set? Check yes or no), but ultimately returned to the solitude of Mississippi tractors and the memory of Mary.

Brett Favre The Star Tribune first reported that Favre contacted the Vikings on Tuesday – he will continue his now one-year-plus retirement that has had fits and jumps (Lambeau leaps?) since he tearfully said goodbye after the 2007 season to a state of mourning cheeseheads.

Since he wet that Wisconsin podium, he has played a full season with the New York Jets.

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