Dixon Staying in Minnesota

Yes, David Dixon is staying in Minnesota and it has little to do with the Vikings. To be honest, it probably doesn't matter whether or not the Vikings resign the 11-year NFL veteran. I talked to David during his appearance on the local sports/comedy show named The Show To Be Named Later which airs Saturday Nights on the Twin Cities NBC station KARE-11 (for info, see www.TheShowToBe.com). I asked him about possibly leaving Minnesota, his answer was completely unselfish. David talked about his family.

David is a free agent, a man currently without a team. But this isn't the first time he is unsigned by Minnesota. Dixon originally joined the Vikings in 1992 but in 1993, he was available, unsigned, and signed with the Dallas Cowboys to join their practice squad. After being on the Super Bowl Champions team, Dixon returned to Minnesota to stay. That was in 1994 and to be honest, it's quite interesting that this lifetime Viking (what else can you call 11 years with one NFL club?) was actually not drafted by Minnesota.

But that was so long ago. Now, there is a question of loyalty. Is there room for an ex-Viking who started 16 games in the last year? Maybe they are waiting to see what's left after what has already been a busy off-season.

For Dixon, there really isn't much of a question of loyalty. But oddly it has nothing to do with the team whom he played for last year. Living in Minnesota, Dixon has established his life and family here. When I asked David the 'What if' about another team offering him a contract, David responded with loyalty. He said his family is established and his kids are important and it would be hard to move. How refreshing is that?

How many professional athletes use the family to cash in? Have you heard them say they have a family to feed when they are far from minimum wage? But with David, we have a guy who wants to play but wants to play here. This man still has serious drive and said on the show that he won't give up his job that easily. How can you not love that?

For now, David is a free agent who is fighting the knocks of 11 years of NFL contact. He's older and in sports, experience is good but has an expiration date. Despite living with uncertainty, David remains loyal to his family and even if the Vikings don't resign him, you'll see him in Minnesota.

 

Bleed on,

Don

Tark's Ups and Downs

Hello frozen fanatics of the Vikings. Tark here - ready to resume the greatest and most one-sided column out there. Tark says one-sided because it is all about the purple, and it all from a Homer. There will be discusion about the Moss trade, some free agents and the upcoming sale. It is tough for Tark to stay positive about these topics, but Tark will do his best.

First and foremost, Tark is sorry for the long delay. Tark was too ecstatic to write after the Green Bay whooping, too bummed to write after the Eagles loss, and every time Tark sits down to do an update, something changes with the purple. Now on to business...

Randy, Randy, Randy, what happened? First he wasn't going anywhere, then he was in Oakland, because Oakland was the only team that would take him. Tark was not in favor of this trade at first. Then, Tark did some thinking. What if Napoleon works out and fits in? We need a linebacker, he is young *and* from the Midwest! This might work out. Then Tark thought, hey, we got the number 7 pick. Tark would love the purple to grab a cornerback with that pick. Someone like Brodney Pool, Pac Man Jones, or Antrel Rolle. Two defensivce players would make this trade work. Tark says give it a chance, see what shakes out. If our "D" can hold so we don't have to score 40 points a game, this will work.

Another piece of the puzzle is free agency. Tark likes Pat Williams. He will help out a lot. We haven't had somone like that since Jerry Ball. Great pick-up. But, let's not end there. Tark has been watching the wire, and there are still some players that could help us. Just in case Tark - will give some names that would look good in purple. How about Andre Dyson. Or maybe Gary Baxter. Ty Law would also help us out in the defensive backfield. Tark also likes at the linebacker position: Ed Hartwell or Kendrell Bell. Tark really would like to see the purple get a veteran WR. It would be a tragedy if they wasted the #7 pick on a wide receiver. Tark thinks There are plenty out there still. The bottom line is there are still good players to be signed. All Tark is asking for is a couple more names.

Mr. Fowler, can he get it done? Tark thinks so. Tark believes Mr. Fowler will get league approval, and bring back some fire this team needs. Tark likes the silent partners Mr. Fowler has, and believes great things will come from this transaction. As far as Red is concerned. Tark likes Mr. McCombs. He has done a lot for the organization. The only guy to sell out the dome since '98, and have a waiting list for season tickets. I will hate to see Mr. McCombs go, but Tark believes a change is needed. One note for Red from Tark - don't leave the team in shambles, sign some players and help us out. Think of it as a thank you for all of the faithful who have helped keep the dome sold out.

Well there you have it, just some things Tark had on his mind. Tark's next article will be about the upcoming NFL draft. Look up Tark for his thought on who should be in Purple next season.

Skol,
Tark

My Gut: Randy Stays

I know the trade is old news, but my gut tells me the Vikings don't pull the trigger on this one. Why? Well, some things don't seem right. I don't think it happens because the Vikings can't seriously be willing to give away Randy for next to nothing. Secondly, rumors out of Oakland are that Napolean Harris is not part of the deal but Ray Buchanan.

All that plus the Raiders' cap problem lead to 'no deal.' It's really that simply. No inside scoop, no anonymous source, just raw probably-wrong instinct. Is my gut wrong? Well, it won't take long to find out: The 2005 season begins tomorrow.