Peter King's a Football Fan and the Vikings Look Okay After 2 Games

Today I read Peter King's article, Monday Morning Quarterback. He does a great job of reporting his view. Today he covered Brett Favre's first game as a Jet and had 5 responses to this fan about a preseason game:

From Patrick Alexander, of Chicago: "Not a Jets fan, but even if my team lined up Jesus, Confucious, Lao Tsu, Moses and Mohammed, I wouldn't show up to a lame preseason game.''
Okay. Here are my five responses:

1. I love the anger and the bitterness and the raw feelings. Shows you all care, which I appreciate, and I do appreciate your heavy response.
2. Let's say in four years, when Kobe Bryant is considered one of the 10 best players of all time, he migrates to the Knicks in free agency, and the Knicks play their opening exhibition game at Madison Square Garden against the Wizards. You think there'd be an empty seat in the house? Dream on. That's what this is. Brett Favre, the legend, playing his first game outside of Green Bay after being the sole focus of the sports world for three weeks. I don't care if he plays 14 snaps -- which he did -- or 40. If you're a real Jets fan, and you've got tickets, and you're not out of town, you'd be there.
3. The fans aren't doling out extra money to see this game. They've already paid for the tickets. We're talking about 45,000 season-ticket-holders who chose not to come to the game. They chose to say, "We'll stay home rather than experience one of the great moments in the recent history of our franchise.'' Sorry. I've got a problem with that.
4. And to Steve, the season-ticket-holder from Long Island: It is a crime that you have to pay regular-season prices for these fraudulent games. You are being abused. I sympathize with you. But you've paid for the year, right? The tickets are in your possession, right? You've sat through so dismal days in the Meadowlands in recent years, right? I guess my question is: What's your level of devotion to this team, really, if you won't give up half of a Saturday to see Brett Favre quarterback your team on your home field with tickets you've already paid for, even if it's only for two series? Sorry. I don't get it.
5. I take nothing back.

I love Peter's passion. It's something I don't see from "professionals". I can think of very few who show us they care about the sports they cover. I think of Kevin Harlan and the Viking's play-by-play Paul Allen. I, too, enjoy preseason games. Now I don't like the price because - let's face it - this is not the same as a regular season game. I can see paying to go to cover all those who don't make it but not full price. After all, those vying and trying for a roster spot are not getting regular season money. But I love the passion.

After Two Viking Preseason Games, Hope Lives

I believe in now. Preseason games are hard to gauge. I like to look at the players fighting for a chance, not the score. With that in mind, I think the lopsided score in game 1 should be ignored. That second half showed more of what the Seahawks can do, not what the Vikings cannot. I think the Vikings have a lot to look at and can learn so much from that game. The second game was equally useful in getting true game effort. I have extensive notes for both games but I won't bore you with them. Needless to say, I watched both games and watched the players, the effort, but not really the score.

What's your take? Who's your favorite fan professional?

I'd Do It!

I'd do it! I'd trade away my first round pick next year to make the Super Bowl. That's easy! Not a second of hesitation. Let's do it. Do it now!

Yes, I am listening to the news that Brett Favre has been traded to New York (okay, New Jersey - we all know its the New York Area Jets).

Yes, the Jets made a great deal yesterday. They traded away a 4th round pick for Brett Favre. It's a great trade. It's not a good deal because Brett can still QB. No one knows that! This is a great deal because the New York Area Jets will sell tickets, jerseys, and best of all: hope! And isn't that all we want each year?

Don't you want a chance? Nothing's guaranteed in life - just give me a chance. And I'd trade a 4th rounder for a chance. Any day.

Sceptical? Worried it's a "wasted pick". It's not. If you think the Jets have "thrown away" a pick, what can you get in the 4th round? Here's what the Vikings have received recently:

• 2007 Brian Robison, DE (Texas, 102nd pick)
• 2006 Ray Edwards, DE (Purdue, (127th pick)
• 2005 Ciatrick Fason, RB (Florida, 112nd pick)
• 2004 Nat Dorsey, OT (Georgia Tech, 115th pick)
• 2003 Onterrio Smith, RB (Oregon, 105th pick)
  

I like many of those players but I would give each up (some are already gone) for a Super Bowl appearance. I'd do it. Would you?

Vikings Draft Report: With the First Pick, the Vikings Select Jared Allen...

The Vikings were the only team that could have their draft pick at their Draft Party. Using their #1 to trade for Jared Allen from Kansas City, the Vikings were able to unveil their 'draft pick' at the Draft Party and not only could you meet the man, but you could buy his jersey! Kinda funny.

Now the Chief defensive end Jared Allen wasn't cheap. In addition to their first rounder, the Vikings game up two third-round picks and traded sixth-round picks. Wow! In addition to that, the Vikings signed Allen to a superstar money: a 6-year, $74 million deal with $31 million in guaranteed money. WOW squared! That's a hefty deal!

Many questioned the deal. Me, I think it's an expensive move for Minnesota. But I gotta admit that with Williams and Williams, the line is looking fierce and threatening. The Vikes already had a good defense. Will Jared make it more menacing? Stay tuned.

Beyond Allen, the Vikings really have taken chances and this draft might be one we look back at in a couple of years and are amazed. Of course, the other option is complete disappointment. Until we have hindsight, here's the rest of the Vikings draft class of 2008 with my thoughts:

Round Player
2 12 (43) Tyrell Johnson, a safety who might help.
5 2(137) John David Booty, a quarterback with potential who came from an NFL-prep program at USC
5 17(152) Letroy Guion, a defensive tackle who will need to work hard to crack the club's opening day roster
6 21(187) John Sullivan, a center from Notre Dame, this pick is a perfect addition to help the line for the future
6 27(193) Jaymar Johnson, a wide receiver from a smaller school (Jackson State), the Vikings drafted some speed

Gus is Good...For the Moment

The Vikings are talking to quarterback Gus Frerotte to fill a quarterback opening. I think it's a good idea to finally bring in a solid veteran to back up Tavaris Jackson. Before I call this a good move (it's a good idea so far!), I would have to know where Gus is at and perhaps why Saint Louis let him go.

No matter what, we cannot say Brooks Bollinger is the answer. I think many of us thought that the day he was acquired. What do you think?

So Gus covers the moment. Now, we need a plan beyond today. I think the Vikings draft board has to include a quarterback and the Vikes cannot count on something opening up via training camp cuts. I'm not saying that Tavaris cannot recover. I think he could. But I do think that you need a plan in case he does not.

So for now, Gus is good.

Brink of Disaster? Pull Back from the Edge!

The Vikings are on the brink of disaster. With a Redskins win at home versus Dallas (or worse yet, a loss Sunday in Denver), the Vikings would be eliminated from playoff contention after being in the driving seat. It is a disaster for Viking fans to be so close, yet so far.

But we have know that all year, haven't we? The Vikings are so close but so far away. Since day 1, we have known the Vikings have potential but have a major gap: Quarterback. 15 games later, it's unchanged. The last-second gasp move to acquire Kelly Holcomb from the Philadelphia Eagles was too little too late. Do you really expect to trade a 6th round pick for your savior? Me neither.

That's the bad news. But if you read me, you know I love good news. And for the Vikings, it is GREAT news! Look around the league and there are many other teams with more problems than Minnesota. And the Vikings are 1 player away from being in contention. Now it's not easy to find a quarterback but it is possible. Look at Detroit! Huge problems on defense and offense. Can they fix it with one player? No. Chicago, also a QB away, has defensive problems, too. South of Minnesota, Saint Louis has a system problem and are not one player away. San Francisco has players but it won't come together. I look at those messes and think that just being a QB off, it's quite nice.

So Sunday, no matter what happens, yes, it's true. The Vikings are on the brink of disaster but there is hope. I contend the Vikings are one player away from going back to the brink of disaster.

So yes, it could be bad depending on how Sunday shakes out. But the real problem will be if Minnesota fails to act again. They messed up in 2006 with Brooks Bolinger. They messed up in 2007 with Kelly Holcomb. Don't strike out again in 2008. That would be moving from the brink into the mouth of disaster. Until that happens, it's safe: Pull back from the edge.