Another ho-hum win for the Vikes last Sunday. They didn’t blow the Lions out like they could have – at least not on the scoreboard – but they did move the ball up and down the field. It is so different knowing that when the momentum shifts the other way the Vikings offense, or defense, or special teams will bring it right back. Makes it a lot less stressful to watch although I have to say it had the look and feel of a trap game well into the second quarter.

Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin continue to develop in amazing fashion. Rice is starting to look a lot like Larry Fitzgerald or Cris Carter but with a better ability to get open deep than CC had. If this continues, Berrian gets healthy and Harvin continues to improve we are going to be set for a while at Receiver. Speaking of Harvin, he has to already be one of the toughest wideouts in the league. Not only did he bounce off an incredible hit last week to gain substantial additional YAC and YAH (Yards After Hit) you have to remember he has also played through migraines and a major ding to his shoulder. And, with his shoulder, the entire time he played he did so with the exact same power and self-sacrifice. I remember the second time he got nailed on that bum shoulder, I think on a kick return, I figured he would be out a few weeks but that never happened.

Since I mentioned Berrian I have to say he is having a very sub-par and disappointing season. I expected a lot from him with Favre to get him the ball. But, I do have to give him this – he is gutting it out. He is nowhere near 100% as he has blown both hamstrings this year. Not sure it is best for the team – which is on both him and the coaches (they should have sat him last week, and maybe this week, to get him healthy) – but you have to give him an “A” for effort.

In other news – Chilly was extended today – through 2013 I believe. 10 weeks ago I would have been pissed about this. Now, I am more ambivalent. I can’t say he doesn’t deserve it but I am not sure why they felt the need to do it now. Then again, we bitch when we don’t do it for Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Mauer etc…But, Chilly is nowhere near that valuable or talented. So, we get Chilly for several more years. I just hope he can come up with a long-term solution at QB although I am still thinking, barring injury, that Favre will be back next year. Whether we win the Super Bowl or not I think he will be back. He is having just too much fun, making too much money and is too important to this team. If you don’t think he is having fun or that he builds chemistry – take a listen to this link from Vikings.com – http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Extend-Contract-of-Head-Coach-Brad-Childress/97056a45-22da-4f4b-8ff1-28037e2b354a. Remember when the Jets said he was a cancer in the locker room? I think that was sour grapes and I bet they would love to have him right now.

Back to the team – and oh what a team it is. As of a couple of days ago the following players were leading vote getters at their position for the Pro Bowl: AP, Allen, McKinnie, Hutchinson, Tahi, Sullivan (seriously?), Percy Harvin (KR), Ryan Longwell, Pat Williams and Heath Farwell. I see three major names missing – Favre (he is #2 to Brees for NFC QB), Kevin Williams and Sidney Rice. I would say both Rice and Williams still have a shot which could put us at 13 players in all. Chilly better win it all with that kind of talent!!!! We have two of the top four vote getters in the entire NFL with Favre and AP being 3rd and 4th behind Brees and Manning. I am not saying Sullivan, above, is not playing well but how in the world can he be the top vote getter in his first year? Is he really the best center in the NFC? While I think all of them deserve it, some more than others, I think what are seeing here is the increased visibility we are getting nationally due to Favre and the success he has brought. Not only are we getting more TV game exposure – but we are also mentioned far more extensively on NFL Live, NFL Primetime, SportsCenter, Around the Horn, PTI etc. I think this also should be noted by our legislature as the overall visibility of Minnesota as state as well. I pity the fools that possibly let this team go over a stadium. I don’t think they realize how important pro sports are to cities, states, civic pride, national exposure etc. If they don’t believe they should get this done just look at the North Stars / Wild. How much more did it cost us to bring an expansion team than it would have to keep the Stars? Let’s learn our lessons and get it done.

I now have to digress to Gophers football. What a pathetic win last weekend. I was seriously rooting for a loss once it was into the second half. I probably shouldn’t have but what a disgrace, on senior day, to put on that kind of display. We are in the first year in a gorgeous new stadium and we have no identity and no home-field advantage. Pathetic. And, to top it off, the Gophers’ Graduation Success Rate (GSR) was reported in today’s StarTribune to be last in the Big 10 in both football and men’s basketball. How pathetic is that – especially for the football team. Not only do we lack talent but apparently brains / commitment to education as well. Funny, we always hear the Gophers are hindered by their tough academic standards – well, if that were the case, if we were eliminating talent for smarts, wouldn’t you think we could do better than last, LAST, in the Big 10. We are not even in the top 10 – we are number 11 – in the Big 10. Come on – Northwestern is doing fine. Why can’t we?

Luckily for the Gophers, Wild and Wolves, Favre, AP, Allen, Rice and Harvin all play again on Sunday. I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!
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