Tailgating is fun, unless you own the condo next door

Two kickoffs 17 hours apart meant a rowdy weekend around the Dome. As the neighborhood gets more residential, can tailgaters coexist with residents?

By Curt Brown, Star Tribune
Last update: September 30, 2007 – 11:36 PM

When Mike Wendorf moved into a condominium in Minneapolis three years ago, he knew what to expect from downtown living. But reality twisted those expectations when tailgaters twice swarmed around his increasingly residential neighborhood north of the Metrodome over the weekend.
The Gophers crowd had barely hauled away their empty beer kegs from the parking lot next to his high-rise Saturday night when Vikings fans started firing up their grills Sunday morning.

"I expected panhandlers and sirens living in an urban setting, but 300 college kids setting up bars in vacant parking lots for an all-day party, serving underage students and urinating all over, that's another thing," said Wendorf, 39, president of the RiverWest condos.

The 400-unit RiverWest Condominiums at 401 S. 1st St. is only a long punt away from the Metrodome.

The double-whammy of tailgating -- with two kickoffs within 17 hours and revelers imbibing way before kickoff -- was muted somewhat by rainy weather and losses to Ohio State and Green Bay. But nevertheless there was an air of Mardi Gras a thousand miles north of the Big Easy.

Tony Riegert, 38, of Minnetrista, was proudly demonstrating his gas-powdered blender, combining a weed-wacker engine and chopper motorcycle handle bars to whip up loud concoctions of Powerade and vodka.

Jordan Cabak, a University of Minnesota junior studying civil engineering and alleging he's 21, arrived in the parking lot at noon Saturday. He was wearing maroon-and-gold bib overalls, a yellow "M" flag as a cape and a hard hat. Eight hours later, Susie Rogers, 42, of Mendota Heights, was sipping a Bloody Mary with friends in the same spot below Wendorf's balcony.

"To be honest, if someone comes down here extremely screaming at us, we'd offer them a drink," she said.

Her friend Andy Holb, of Richfield, puffed a fat cigar and compared the brew-haha with someone moving next to a fire station and complaining about the sirens.

And not all residents seem to mind the partying. Take Dustin Evenson, another RiverWest resident who was walking his dachshund Saturday night.

"I personally think it's great to see people getting involved in events," he said. "That's the way it should be when you move down by a stadium. If you want to live in the suburbs, live in the suburbs."

Different crowds

Wendorf and others say the Gophers crowd and Vikings faithful are different breeds.

"I don't even know the Vikings fans are down there," he said Sunday morning, from his balcony perch 18 floors up. "I went to the 'U' and had fun, too, so I get it. But the music and vocalness of the college students, all the hooting, hollering and yelling, we don't hear that from Vikings fans."

Standard Parking, which manages several of the tailgate lots, charges $20 and provides metal trash cans for spent charcoal and the ever important port-a-potties, along with off-duty Minneapolis cops to keep an eye on things. If music gets too loud, people are asked to quiet down.

The public urination issue isn't always the fault of the obvious party, according to Ryan Duffy, 25, who lives with his wife in the American Trio Lofts at 250 Park Av., a few blocks from the Dome.

"If you live by the Dome, you should expect tailgating," he said. "But if you charge $25 to park, the people who own and operate the lots can at least provide enough port-a-potties so people aren't running onto our property and peeing."

Brian Bade, 35, of Chanhassen, paid $25 Saturday night to park his custom-equipped Gophers mobile, a refurbished 1978 Arlington, Minn., fire-and-rescue wagon painted maroon with a huge Goldy Gopher on the side.

"The key is providing enough bathrooms," he said. "It's not that people want to not use the bathroom, but I talked to one woman waiting an hour for the port-a-potty."

Lynn Lindsay was leaving her condo at the American Trio Lofts on Saturday night for an evening of Beethoven at Orchestra Hall. She watched a Gophers fan run in the middle of the street and stop traffic.

"My neighbor was complaining about waking up to the smell of brats cooking on Sunday morning," she said with a shrug. "It doesn't really bother me too much. But I'll be glad when football season is over."

Curt Brown • 612-673-4767

Curt Brown • curt.brown@startribune.com

Minnesota Vikings - Week 4 Preview : Border Rivalry

Border Battle Mania. There has been a lot of talk this week about the match up with the Vikings and the Packers. It has been more then just talk around the midwest, it has been nationwide. Everyone knows what a big game this has become. What it means to both teams. Not only a big divisional game but bragging rights. Who gets to call who biaatch.

Most would say that Green Bay has the edge in this game. They are coming into the Metrodome 3-0 and the Vikings are struggling at 1-2. However, the past has proven that you can throw out records when this team hits town. This game is almost always "tight" no matter what the team records are. So get ready for a showdown.

Being a Viking's fan, I have learned to hate the Packers. However, I am also a "football" fan, and that means that over the years Brett Favre has earned my respect (grudgingly). I will still always root for my Vikings, but Favre, in the end will go down as one of the best quarterbacks to play this game. More records will be sure to fall today. Assuradely, the touchdown record that he now is tied with Dan Marino, will be his today. But hopefully, the dubios interception mark held by George Blanda will also fall today. Three interceptions is what the Vikings need to give Brett that record, most interceptions thrown by a quarterback, how fitting if against the Vikes.

This record might fall today for one reason, the packers will be throwing the ball all...day... long. They would be silly not to. We all know what a great run defense the Vikes have and what a soft secondary we have. I wouldn't be suprised to see the Packers entering the fourth quarter with only 3 or 4 run plays for the game. This means the game will be won and lost with the play of our d-backs. I am afraid... very afraid.

The Vikings NEED to win the turn over battle to win this game. When I say win the turn-over battle I mean by 3 or 4. The defense needs to come up with 3 or 4 interceptions and force some fumbles, for the Vikings to have a chance in this game. The offense also needs to be careful with the ball. Move the ball with the run and a precision passing game.

Kelly Holcomb will be running the show today. T-Jack sounds like he is not 100% and this is probably a game he is not quite ready for. Rest him this week and next week during the bye. The Packers will be with out Greg Jennings, which should help our defense out a bit.

I have been wrong the last two weeks predicting the outcome of the game, so here is a little reverse psychology. Vikings lose this won 31-24. Let's hope I am wrong.

Skoal Vikings

Chamber

Mookie Quoted in Star Tribune, "Parking-lot picnics pose profit potential"

The increasing popularity of tailgating is finally prompting retailers to get a piece of the pie.

By Aimee Blanchette, Star Tribune
Last update: September 29, 2007 - 9:51 AM

Although this faceoff is a much friendlier one, the passionate football fans who gather in parking lots near the Dome are serious about showing off their best tailgating game.

Tailgating has become a $12 billion industry, with merchants offering everything from gas-powered appliances, portable satellite dish televisions and grills that attach to a truck's hitch. Consumers are snapping up such tailgating-specific products in an effort to bring all the comforts of home to the parking lot.

As many as 51 million Americans are expected to tailgate this year, and the total has been rising about 12 percent a year for at least the last five years, according to the American Tailgating Association (ATA). Tailgaters are spending lots of money, too -- about $250 per person annually, according to the association.

The growing segment is a marketer's dream. Fifty-seven percent of tailgaters make $75,000-plus annually; 82 percent are homeowners and 41 percent said that they spend more than $500 a season on food and supplies, according to a survey by the ATA.

Veteran tailgater Chris Corless points out that tailgating has become more sophisticated over the years. At the Vikings home opener, he saw people steaming lobsters and mixing drinks from the back of their trailer-turned-bar. Corless plans to order a grill that can attach to the hitch on his Jeep, so that he can cram in more supplies for game day. And as far as all the new products to recently hit the tailgating scene, the only thing that surprises Corless is that it's taken so long, because many of the products trace their inspiration to parking lots years ago.

"We talk about the missed business opportunities all the time," Corless said of his regular tailgating group. "We say, 'we should do this, we should do that.' When you see people who've made their own, you know if they put a design together, someone could manufacture and sell it."

Vikings tailgating fanatic Marcus (Mookie) Anderson prefers a grass-roots approach to tailgating. "Our own uniqueness is what makes tailgating great," he said "Businesses are trying to capture that in a bottle."

Anderson, who hasn't missed a home game since 1997 and travels to many of the out-of-town games, owns www.vikingstailgate.com, a website devoted to Vikings tailgating. He receives e-mail every week from companies that want to advertise their tailgating products on his site. The ATA also recently sent him 50 copies of its new magazine, Tailgater, to distribute in the lots.

While most tailgaters are in it just for fun, others have found a way to turn their passion into a career. Stephen Linn is the author of the "FOX Sports Tailgating Handbook," and the author/host of "The Ultimate Tailgater" series of books and shows. His website, theultimatetailgater.com, has cooking videos, recipes, tips and podcasts.

"My line is: We don't picnic in America anymore, we tailgate. It's part of our social culture and who we are now," Linn said.

This year, the Vikings have designated four new parking lots within sight of the Metrodome for tailgating.

Minneapolis "wasn't a great tailgating city before, because it was so spread out and you'd have to find a private lot here and there," Linn said. "It wasn't a spirit issue; it was a logistics issue and the new lots should help."

Linn predicts that "going green" will be the next trend in tailgating, with environmentally friendly service ware and more people using solar power for their equipment.

After realizing that tailgating had become such a large market, ShowProCo. decided to add a Tailgate/Picnic Show to run in conjunction with its annual Sports Licensing and Entertainment Marketplace expo. The second annual convention is in January and thousands of new products will be unveiled to retail buyers with the hopes of getting them on store shelves, said Ann Keush, the show director.

"Tailgating is big business. We envision that soon, maybe someone will open a chain of tailgate stores," she said.

Aimee Blanchette • 612-673-1712

Aimee Blanchette • ablanchette@startribune.com

Sunday is Chuck Foreman Day- Old SKOOL!

"Do it Chucky Baby!"

Those words were bellowed by my father in our rural home in South Dakota back in 1976, as # 44, the 2nd All-time leading rusher in Vikes history, motored down the sideline for a 60-yard run in the closing moments of the 1976 NFC Championship. Chuck Foreman, the slickest spin move of all-time, has just set-up the winning touchdown scored by Sammie Johnson a few plays later, sending the Vikings to Pasadena for the Super Bowl.

Foreman will get his due on Sunday (tomorrow) against the Green Bay Packers as the the Vikings induct him into their Ring of Honor. The Vikings will also be wearing the coolest throwback uniforms in NFL history, as they roll out the 1976 big horned helmet, and look of the Purple People Eaters.

I can't wait to see who shows up for the halftime ceremony. If Fran Tarkenton is there, he will see me wearing my #10 purple jersey from the same era. But Sir Francis' last appearance was in 2000- I think that was for Mick Tinglehoff, or Ron Yary's induction- and he is tough old legend who rarely shows for stuff like this.

But this is Chucky Baby's Day, so tomorrow, with the Vikes up 24-10 at halftime, we get to drown the cheeseheads out of he Metrodome. Here's to wishin for the best while honoring the greatest Viking RB since, well, nobody. Apologies Adrian Peterson (he's the next one) & Robert Smith (the smart one, who got out early, but could of busted more speed and records).

Minnesota Vikings - Week 3 Wrap-up: Downward Spiral

Holy crap its Thursday already! I just came out of my drug induced stupor resulting from last Sunday's humilating loss to the lowly Chiefs. Drowning my sorrows turned into a several day affair. I also wanted to wait a couple of days so my post would not sound like the ravings of a complete lunatic.

What can be said about the game on Sunday... The Vikings came out looking pretty decent. The moved the ball pretty well in the first half. Adrian Peterson scored at the 10 minute mark of the first quarter on a nifty little 11 yard run. The Vikings then scored a touchdown around the 10 minute mark of the second quarter.... oh, yeah that wasn't a catch, they had to settle for the field goal.

I am still not sure how that was not a touchdown. On a great call, Mewelde Moore rolled to the right and tossed a nice little pass to the end zone. The receiver, Shiancoe, caught the ball, his elbow touched down.... touchdown. When he did hit the ground his arm was under the ball, even though that should be irrelevant at the point. The Officials did not see it this way, not even on a replay challange. The must have had an angle that we did not, cause every time I looked at it, it looked like a touchdown.

The Vikings then had a very good chance to score another touchdown on the final drive of the first half. On another brilliant call and execution, Robert Ferguson was wide open. However, Kelly Holcomb just overthrew him by inches. Even though the score at halftime was only 10-3, Vikings fans had to feel pretty good about the first half.

Adjustments! The second half was all about adjustments. Kansas City made them, Minnesota did not. Kansas City tried to run in the first half to no success. In the second half, they went almost exclusively to the air. On defense, K.C. decided to stop the run and pressure the Holcomb with some "exotic" blitzes. The result was a second half that was all Chiefs. A third quarter field goal and a fourth quarter touchdown turned a 10-3 lead into a 13-10 loss.

Pet Peeve of the week: I will say it again. The Vikings either don't know how, or can't cover the Tight End. Once again, the best receiver on the field was the tight end, Tony Gonzalas (remember Atlanta). On Sunday, I counted Tony catching four first downs on 3rd and long. Adjustments. Maybe, lets say, after the first two times getting burned on 3rd and long, you might make an adjustment to cover the tight end (there I go slipping into my ranting).

This was a game we had to have. Even though it was on the road and on natural grass (Vikings have lost the last five on natural grass {not the kind of grass Vick was on}). Things get much more difficult from here and I fear its going to be a long year.

With a few breaks (i.e. the officials, 1 or 2 missed opportunities) the Vikings could be 3-0 as well. However, I think we would then be lulled into a false sense of security. This Vikings team has a lot of questions to answer and the first question gets answered this Sunday.

Vikings (1-2) at home against the Packers (3-0).

Chamber

When Brett Favre Breaks Records at Dome this Week

By Mookie
It's Border Rivalry Week, and that means there is always something weird on the horizon. The Cheesheads will be in full force this weekend at the Metrodome and many Green and Gold # 4 jerseys will stumble their way into the game on Sunday.

The most prominent jersey will be worn by non other than Brett Favre himself. My oh my how this guy just keeps showing up. I am not going to write how much I despise or admire this NFL icon. He plays for the Packers, and over the years has been the ultimate hero and ultimate goat of bandwagon fans all over the midwest.

No matter how you feel about ol Favre, he is one of the NFL's most prized icons. This weekend, Vikes and Packer fans have a chance to witness two major NFL records fall to the hands of the head cheese.

Favre has a chance to become the All-Time NFL Touchdown passer AND interceptions thrower ALL by himself.

Last week he tied Dan Marino with his 420 TD. If he throws # 421 at the Dome, and takes that prize, I have no excuse. I must stand up and cheer the warrior. Any Viking fan who does not is a classless NFL hater.

On the other hand, ol Mississippi Brett, Captain Intercepto stands a chance to beat George Blanda's infamous 277 interception mark. Our hero/goatee Packer QB has played in 245 NFL games and thrown 275 picks. With a classic Vikings/Packer giveaway game, on the horizon it is possible that he will throw 3 picks to Viking defenders and claim the All-Time NFL interception crown.

If that happens. I will get up and cheer louder. C'mon people, history is about to made this weekend. One way or another, the damn Vikings Packer rivalry gives us all a reason to show up, party in the lot and watch the game inside.

I love it. Just seeing the crowd reactions to Favre, the mixed emotions from NFL fans in a classic rivalry; it just don't get much better than that.

Minnesota Vikings - Week 3 preview - Must Win?

It has been said many times before, just probably not this early in the season, this is a must win for the Vikings. The Vikings (1-1) are traveling to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs (0-2) in week three. The Chefs, who are the Chefs.... No seriously, coming on the heels of a stinging loss to the Lions, the Vikings will want to get the sour taste out of their mouth with a big smack down on the Chiefs.

It appears that they will have to do it without T-Jack. Travaris Jackson looks to be out with a groin injury (suffered in overtime against the Lions). The apparent starter this week is Kelly Holcomb, getting most of the snaps, this week, with the first string offense. With Kelly looking good in his brief apperance in the Vikings preseason, and Brooks Bollinger hanging out in the doghouse (for that overtime fumble), Kelly should get the nod.

Playing Kansas City at this time in the season may be the break the Vikings are looking for and need! So far this year, K.C. has scored only 13 points in their two games and are only averaging 250 yards per game. Their biggest weapon, RB Larry Johnson should have limited success against the Vikings stellar run defense. That leaves putting the brakes on Damon Hourd. Damon is averaging about 170 yards passing and only one touchdown in two games this year. If the Vikings can't contain this offense it's going to be a long year.

Last week I said the key would be to get a least two turnovers to win the game. I should have said they need to finish +2 in turnovers to win the game. The same goes in K.C. The Vikings can't afford another 5 turnover day! We know our defense is going to play well and cause a
couple of tournovers, the offense needs to hang on the the fricken ball.

Offensively, the Vikings have to get A.P. involved earley and often. He has proven he can handle the work load and is a consistant runner. Get him the touches! Kelly Holcomb needs to get into a rythym early, throwing high percnetage passes. I, personally, would like to see some more of Sydney Rice. He looks to be a great young receiver with incredible hands.

Again, a must win. This is a team they have to beat. Green Bay comes to town next week and then the Vikings have a bye. Coming out of the bye week the Vikings need to be 3-1, at worst 2-2. We come out of the bye with four tough games against Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, and San Diego (although Philly is not looking as tough as we once thought.

The Vikings win this one, 27-13.

Skoal Vikings!

Vikings - Week 2 wrap-up: Oops we did it again.

By Chamber the Blogger Guy
Brittney Spear's life has become like a train wreck. You don't want to look, but out of morbid curiosity you can't tear your eyes away. Well, that is the way I felt on Sunday watching the Vikings/Detroit game. Just like Brittney the Vikings "did it again".

The Vikings, as is becoming the norm, had 12 penalties for 96 yards (hey guys you are moving the ball the wrong direction). However, these mistakes were overshadowed by 5 Viking turnovers, the last resulting in the game winning field goal by Detroit, in overtime. Detroit, as well, tried to give the game away, committing 7 penalties for 44 yards and turning the ball over 5 times.

Even though the game was painful to watch, I did feel like I was back at school. Grab your back-pack, your playbooks, and your pens & pencils because here are the 5 most important things I learned on Sunday:

1 - Travaris is not quite ready for the NFL: I think we all knew this coming. We have a veritable rookie running the show and should expect some "brain-fart" moments (just not this many, 4 interceptions). He definately showed is inexperience under pressure by just heaving the ball down-field instead of throwing it away. Question to Childress: Travaris is definately not ready, why did he only get one series in the final pre-season game?? Let's not give up on Tavaris just yet, but he has a lot of maturing to do this year.

2 - Travaris can't throw ball down field: Anything longer then 25 yards and we should say it's open season on ducks... The few times we tried to go up the field with the ball, it was grossly underthrown. Unless Travaris gets on a Barry Bonds type program, he should just be content with the short stuff.

3 - The refs still enjoy screwing the Vikings: Roughing the Passer on 3 and 22, PLEASE. What are they smoking? According to Childress they have stills of Spencer Johnson making contact while O'sullivan still had the ball in his hand. NOT ROUGHING! Is it because he "slammed" him to the turf? How do you explain to a lineman that hits a quartback while he still has the ball, to "be gentle" when he hits the ground? I think we need to be asking the NFL to review the refs if the have been making any "bets" (take a page from the NBA).

4 - Calvin Johnson's reputation must proceed him: How else do you explain this rookie being aloud to push off a vetran conerback in the end-zone. One of the definitions of pass interference is that hands on a defender are acceptable, but if you "extend" your arms to create space that is a penalty. Well, that is exactly what THE ROOKIE did to the VETERAN Cedric Griffin in the third quarter! I thought only T.O. or Randy Moss got those kind of calls, or lack of calls.

5 - The Detroit Lions are better then last year, but they better hope Kitna is healthy all year. The Vikings are lucky that Kitna got his bell rung. I know the Vikes are all about the bend but not break defense, but Kitna was picking them apart early. Hell, O'sullivan, as lost as he looked, moved the ball at times against our defense.

Bonus: Marcus McCauley can not cover an NFL receiver. Williams, Johnson, hell even Furry was open when covered by McCauley... all....day...long. He was playing off the receiver 8-10 yards every play and his first step was back. This either says he doen't have enough speed to keep up with these receivers or the talent to defend them (or both). If they keep him there, he will need some help!

In summary, neither team played well enough for the win. This is one time I would vote for bringing back the tie. It was fitting that a game that had 10 turn overs and 19 penalties would be decided by a field goal in OT.

Pet Peeve of the week: Why do the Vikings always have coaches that make dumb game day decisions? Hello, we picked up Kelly Holcomb for a reason. If Travaris is injured or just plain melts down (both happened on Sunday) then we have a decent back-up. I think we all agree that Kelly out played Brooks Bollinger in the pre-season. Mr. Childress said that Kelly has a limited knowledge of the playbook at this point. GREAT, that would be preferable to Brooks. Heck, we only needed him for one series. Let him run the plays he knows. Just tell him to hang onto the ball!

Next up: Vikings (1-1) vs Kansas City (0-2)

Chamber

Viking Week 2 - Preview

By Chamber the Blogger Guy

The Vikings are unbeaten! Ok, Ok, they are only 1-0, but hey, let's ride it as long as we can. The question is by 6:15pm tommorrow will they still be that way. Recent history tells us that we should lay the dough on the purple and gold...

The last ten meetings between these two teams have produced only one result. A win for the Vikes! Yep, 10-0 and 16-18 since 1998. That, my friend, is true domination (do you think they have a "safe" word for when things go to far, your guess is as good as mine). The Lions have been our proverbial bitch for the last 9 years.

Before we start chalking this up in the win column, we have to realize this is not last year's Lion's team that lost 13 games. Like the Vikings, Detroit has a good young defense that can make things happen. Like the Vikes, their first week win can be pinned right on their defense.

Detroit coughed up the lead late in the game, blowing a 17 point lead to trail with a litte more then 7 minutes left to go in the game. Dewayne White (DeWayne...ok did everyone else just picture a shack in the woods in the middle of fning nowhere, Alabama?) then created two big turnovers with an interception and a fumble. Detroit scored off both these turnovers to close out the game.

Keys to the game:

We all know the Vikings have a stellar run defense. Unfortunately, so do all the teams in the NFL. The Vikings need to stop the pass! Kitna is a step up from Joey Harrington (granted he is no Peyton Manning). We need to get pressure quickly and often to keep him out of a rhythm. Detriot's receivers and definately better then Atlanta's, and for god sake cover the frickin tight ends tomorrow. We need at least two turnovers to win this game!

Give the offense some smelling salts before the game. Ok, are they awake now? We need the offense to control the ball and keep it out of the hands of the Detroit offense. Get Travaris into the game early with some short slant patterns and some swing passes (maybe to A.P. perhaps...), then give them a heavy dose of A.P. Are we going to see Chestor Taylor? My guess would be no, dress Mewelde Moore and sit Taylor for another week. Get Sidney Rice more touches, the young man got some hands!

I think this game will be close in the first half with the Vikings pulling away in the 4th quarter. Turnover's and ball control will be key. Vikings win this one 20-13. This is a game they should win, these are the teams we should and need to beat!

Skoal Vikings! Chamber

Vikings Cage Falcons in Home Opener!

By Chamber the Blogger

The Atlanta Falcons without Michael Vick was like salsa without the peppers... dull and bland (not necessarily in that order). The Vikings defense was able to keep the Falcons offense sputtering for most of the day.

The final score of 24-3 is not really indicative to how close the game acutally was. In fact, for most of the game it was tighter then two offensive linemen in a phone booth. With about 9 and a half minutes left in the game Atlanta kicked a field goal to close the gap to 7 points (10-3). Which of course started the thought, here we go again... Then with a little more then 7 minutes left to go in the game, Adrian Peterson provided some excitement on a 3rd and long play, barely catching a swing pass and rumbling 60 yards to pay dirt (echos of Chuck Foreman?).

Overall: The game and the final result were as expected. Let's be realistic, they beat the second worst team in the league.....at home. Someone must have "pictures" of the official schedule maker. Should we be proud of this win...hell yeah! ahhh a win is a win and it is definately a step in the right direction.

Offense: The brightest spot was Adrian Peterson. He really stepped up, when Chester Talyor went down early in the game with an injury (strain to a stomache muscle). The rookie really carried the load for the rest of the game, racking up 103 yards rushing and 60 yards receiving. It's great to be excited about a rookie on the team again. Not since Randy Moss have we had a rookie make this quick of an impact on the team. Hopefully this is not an anomaly (like when Herschal Walker came to the team). Travaris Jackson looked a little shaky in the first quarter or two. He was short arming swing/out passes and throwing behind receivers. However, in the second half it appeared that he settled down and got into the rhythm of the game. Sidney Rice looked good as well. Another rookie with some big time potential!

Defense: They definately created some excitement! Scoring two touchdowns and sacking Joey Harrington six times (one on the last play of the game). The defense still has some questions to answer. That deep comeback route was available all...day... long. This was Joey Harrington chucking the ball, for crying out loud, and they let him convert 8-16 on third down. That is a little unsettling. The biggest problem (like last year) seems to be covering the tightends. Critical 3rd downs found the tight ends wide open! Overall, we seem to get adequate pressure and did well on mixing in the blitzes.

It was a good game to watch and it always a good thing to start out the season 1-0. Please let's keep a lid on our giddyness, since last year they started out 4-2 and ended up 6-10.

Game Ball - Obviously Adrian Peterson with 19 carries and 103 rushing yards, as a rookie!

Pet Peeve of the Week: Closer d-back coverage when we are blitzing! It happend on the last play of the third quarter, but seems to happen every week. On third down, we are blitzing and we are coming hard... the qb steps back and releases a quick pass to a reciever who is doing a quick slant... our db is still 5 yards (or more) off the receiver. Why are they not playing man to man? Do they not know we are blitzing? Get up on the man and play him tight if we are sending an all out blitz, you only need to cover him for a few seconds!

Pet Peeve Extra: Calling time out with 3 seconds left in the game when you are losing 24-3, what the hell are you thinking!!!.... let me see where did I put that 21 point play....or maybe I can get my quarterback injured on a meaningless last play of the game....

Next week: Detroit (1-0)

Chamber

Welcome to Vikingstailgate.com "Chamber the Blogger Guy"

We have a new blogger on the block, and his pen name is "Chamber," a long time Vikings fan with a presence on My Space. His real name is Bruce, and we met many years ago playing slow pitch softball in Eagan, MN. Ah, how I miss the the good old days of softball; beer, kickin ass, beer, blowouts and beer. But I digress, "Chamber" or "Chamberlain the Gopher Hockey fan" can be found at his MySpace home http://www.myspace.com/bigbammer where you can read more details about his passion for sports with a focus on Vikings football.

I will start posting his game previews and reviews (with his permission of course) and soon we will have a better blog here at the Vikingstailgate.com Parking Lot. So please join me in welcoming this diehard Minnesotan to the Vikingstailgate family, and read the blog for more perspectives from a fan perspective.

More Hee Haw, just a tad bit less Bling...

Mookie, Vikingstailgate.com founder, web guy, and loyal lot partier.

Tailgating with Zygi Wilf- BELIEVE IT!

How cool is it when the millionaire owner of your favorite NFL team tailgates with the fans in the lot? Very Cool.

On Sunday, in the lot for tailgaters (purple lot 1) Zygi Wilf came out and fired up his most loyals fans. The entire gang of our core of tailgaters welcomed the Vikings owner and his entourage to our community. He kicked three field goals, and missed all of them. He showed us all that he was NORMAL, and humble, and most of all as passionate about the team that he owns, as we are to cheer for them. He joked that it "Doesn't matter how I kick field goals, what matters is how they kick them inside."


We got a chance to shake his hand and listen to him give us an impromptu pep speech. The message was clear; we are the fan base, the loyalists, and wants us all to know that his team is working to bring us many championships in the near future.

For a disheartened, aging Vikes fan, who has been down on the team for the past few years, it was just what the football doctor ordered. We needed that message, and it was just a simple little show of appreciation from the man at the top of the Vikings ladder.

It might be the rube in me, the guy that is hesistant to believe in Corporate America's money men, but it's rare to see a person of his stature actually show his human side. I have to believe again. Hat's off to you Mr. Wilf. You are true Viking, you are the real deal.

This is gonna be a fun year.

Tailgating Returns Near Stadium

By Tim Yotter

Posted Sep 11, 2007

The Vikings fan experience just got a whole lot better with the opening up of four lots near the Metrodome to tailgaters.

The festive atmosphere returned to Vikings games on Sunday … and that was before the team even started on its way to a 24-3 win in the regular-season opener.

Tailgating is back right next to the Vikings’ home stadium, and the fans seemed to really appreciate it.

“Great feedback. We had a very solid response,” said Steve LaCroix, the team’s vice president of sales and marketing. “The fan base is very excited to be close to the Metrodome – you can walk right across the street.”

Fans even got a surprise Sunday morning when owner Zygi Wilf joined the masses for smart talk and smiles a few hours before kickoff. Wilf said the feedback was helpful.

“All positive,” he said. “Everything I would expect from Vikings fans who have been following the team for many years, and even young fans that have been brought up liking the team. We’re going to make a big point to reach out to the kids and loyal fans throughout the country. Not just here in Minnesota, because wherever you go around the country we have fans always reading us.”

A short pregame walk through the tailgating lots and to the Metrodome produced the sites reminiscent of the old Met Stadium tailgating. Grills were sending the aroma of grilled treats into the air. Fans were socializing from one pickup tailgate to another. Drinks were served, cards were dealt and tales were told. Wilf said he got offered a few drinks as well.

“I did, but I stuck to my sodas. … I didn’t have any foods out there, but I met a lot of interesting people,” he said. “It really perked up everyone’s enthusiasm. I just hope it will grow and we can establish that and make it a full-day experience for our fans. It’s something they deserve.”

Yep, tailgating the way it should be is back, if only on a limited basis.

Despite the Vikings’ purchase agreement with the Star Tribune newspaper going by the wayside, the team still controls 1,100 parking spots spread throughout four different lots and is selling them for $280 for the eight-game regular season or $40 for a day-of-game sale until all of the season passes are sold out.

“I haven’t seen the most recent numbers, but there were still a few hundred available for day-of-game sale,” LaCroix said shortly before kickoff Sunday. “We’re trying to sell them out on a pass basis, so I think after (the opener), you’re going to see the numbers creep up to close to sold out on a pass basis. But if we don’t sell them out on a pass basis, we’ll continue to sell them at the 40 (dollars for individual games).”

With electrifying rookie running back Adrian Peterson in the fold and a season-opening win in the bank, the season passes could sell out soon. The fact that the team’s next home game is against the Green Bay Packers also should help encourage sales.

For the first experience Sunday, turnout was solid. A return to their winning ways might lead to increased demand for tailgating spots, but LaCroix said the team is limited to expansion possibilities by the amount of spaces available.

“We’re a little bit landlocked. It depends on the surface parking around the Metrodome. We’ll investigate any can kind of space we can in the future. It’s just fun to bring tailgating back to the Metrodome, right adjacent to it,” he said.

Wilf said the team could look at options with other parking lots along the light-rail line.

By Tim Yotter, at Vikings.Scout.com
Several years ago, the Vikings were able to provide tailgating lots along Washington Avenue, several blocks away from the Metrodome, but when that land was purchased and developed, it took away parking and tailgating opportunities. More recently, the team offered a tailgating option in the Rapid Park area near the Target Center, but that option required fans to either drive or take a bus or light-rail train to the Metrodome after partying miles away.

“It changes that game-day experience when you don’t have tailgating right next to the facility,” LaCroix said.

Wilf agreed, citing his days as a big New York Giants fan.

“We felt it was important for the fans to enjoy the experience that we all hope to have before the game and we want to make it the most convenient and the most festive that we can make it,” said Wilf, who said he’d like to join the masses for more tailgates this year because it is a relaxing break for him before a game. “I wanted to be part of it because of my days of being fans for so many years. I’m still the biggest fan and I felt like we could all experience the pregame celebrations and the optimism that we all felt going into the game. We’re going to do that for every game we can.”

How big of a hit was tailgating across from the Metrodome on the first day? People starting showing up at 3 a.m., LaCroix said, but he noted that most of the spots started filling up after 6 a.m.

Vikings Opener a Busy Time

By Mike Wobschall, vikings.com
The Minnesota Vikings opened the 2007 season with an exciting 24-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at the Metrodome on Sunday, featuring an active defense that scored twice and a sensational first-round draft choice. Running back Adrian Peterson had 163 yards of total offense and he scored a touchdown, igniting the home crowd throughout the entire game.

But action surrounding the Vikings home opener wasn’t limited to the gridiron; plenty of other activities, from tailgating early in the morning to remembering those involved in the 35W bridge tragedy, kept fans and the team occupied on Sunday. The day began with great anticipation, contained a somber moment just prior to the game and finished with a bang as the Vikings began the season with a victory.

Tailgating returns

Part of the fabric of NFL football is tailgating outside of the stadium prior to the game. For many seasons, Vikings fans wishing to tailgate had to make do with less than ideal environments, from lack of space to inconvenient locations. The 2007 season will be different for those fans, however, as the Vikings have designated four parking lots just a stones throw away from the Metrodome as tailgating areas. Two “Purple” and two “Gold” lots will provide fans with an ideal environment and location to bask in their festive activities prior to making their way into the Metrodome.

To kickoff the new tailgating option, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf visited patrons in Purple lot #1 prior to kickoff of Sunday’s game. Wilf joined fans on the lot to sing Skol Vikings, take photos, check out all the good food and talk Vikings football. He even tried kicking a few field goals through a make-shift set of uprights as a large crowd cheered him along.

Wilf thanked the fans for their support and said he was anxious to head into the Metrodome and cheer the Vikings on to victory along with the best fans in the NFL.

“This is so cool to have Zygi out here with us, I feel chilled,” Marcus, a.k.a. “Mookie” and his tailgating friend Chester said. “He’s like the President of the tailgate lot. As Vikings fans, we’ve always been passionate so Zygi is the perfect match as an owner for the Vikings. He has great passion for the team and so do his fans.”

Heroes Day

The Vikings dedicated Sunday’s game against the Falcons as “Heroes Day” in honor of the victims and their families, first responders and everyone impacted by the recent 35W bridge collapse. and southern Minnesota flooding. A moment of silence was held before the game and Vikings coaches, owners and front office staff wore 35W lapel pins.

Minneapolis Fire Department Chief Jim Clack, Minneapolis Police Department Chief Tim Dolan, Emergency Management Director Rocco Forte as well as Hennepin County Sheriff Rick Stanek and citizen responders Rick Kraft and Jay Reeves served as honorary team captains. Additionally, Vikings’ Ring of Honor members and alumni players were collecting donations at each gate prior to kickoff. Zygi and Mark Wilf presented a check to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Minnesota Helps - Bridge Disaster Fund. representative Stuart Applebaum.

The Vikings donated over 1,100 tickets to the victims’ families, rescue/relief workers and those injured in the collapse.

Pregame on the plaza

Prior to every Vikings home game the place to find the best Vikings entertainment is at the Miller Lite Party on the Plaza. A variety of promotional booths, interactive games, alumni, cheerleader, macot and Vikings Street Team visits, food, live music and the KFAN pregame show keep fans entertained leading up to kickoff of each game.

Sunday’s featured entertainment came courtesy of Freestyle Motocross (FMX) legends Tommy “Tom Cat” Clowers and Jeff “Full Tilt” Tilton as they threw huge tricks – like “Superman,” “Nac Nac,” and “Heart Attack” – off 60 to 90 foot jumps in rapid-fire succession.

Clowers, 33, is one of the most recognizable names and faces in the sport, a status validated by ten X Games medals (four golds, three silvers and three bronze). He also holds the current world record for step-up at 35 feet even (from the 2000 Summer X Games). Tilton, 30, is a regular competitor in FMX events and, like Clowers, one
of the elite step-up riders in the world. (Step-up is similar to the Olympic high-jump event… just on motorcycles.)

American Red Cross Parking Lot Available for 2007 Tailgating

I just received note from Gretchen Ambrosier at the American Red Cross, Twin Cities Chapter, stating that the Red Cross Parking Lot will be available for $25 per game all season. The lot is located at 1201 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Map can be found here:
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1201+West+River+Parkway,+Minneapolis,+MN+55454&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=1&iwloc=addr

Gretchen is the Special Projects Manager at the Twin Cities American Red Cross. She wrote to inform our readers that they will be providing tailgating spaces in their parking lot beginning this Sunday.
"Due to the Bridge Collapse our efforts had been postponed until this week. However we have been working with Bryan Harper from the Vikings to coordinate the efforts. The cost will be $25 per space."

Tailgating Location 2007 (It's On) Purple Lot #1

Our Official Tailgate Lot 2007 will be in the Purple Tailgate Lot #1 right next to the Metrodome. Many of our readers have asked questions about what the lot allows (do they allow open fire pits, grilling, how many restrooms etc.) Please see the IM Park Wireless website for details on the tailgating rules and regulations.

THE NEW TAILGATING LOT 2007

Open
up a large printable .PDF of the site

Your Vikings season tailgate pass offers you the following amenities:

Guaranteed space each home game
Close proximity to the Metrodome
Tailgating allowed
Restrooms, charcoal bins and garbage cans available
Visits from the Vikings Cheerleaders, Street Team and mascot

Detroit Tailgaters Open Invite to Vikings Fans for Week 2 Tailgating

Our fellow tailgating bros in the Motor City sent us a recent invite to all Vikingstailagte.com members to join them in their lot outside Ford Field on September 16. Please contact Kevin Nowak kevin@detroittailgate.com, for details on where and when they will be tailgating and let them know that we sent you. Check them out at http://www.detroittailgate.com. They are Vikingstailgate.com approved, and are always welcome in our Tailgating lot. We hope to see them soon, and if you head to Detroit, let us know how it went.

Following are portions of the invite sent to Mookie:

Hey, Mookie,

...Watched the interview on WCCO. Nice G4 tower, or is it a Pro? I knew you couldn't build
such a cool website on a feeble Windows PC. Glad to see you've got at least one more
season of quality tailgating before they change it up on you, too.

If you don't mind, I'm going to send you some information you might want to mention on
your site regarding the Lions vs Vikings September 16th game at Ford Field. We're
throwing a helluva tailgate party, and we welcome everyone. Even delusional Vikings fans.

So if you know anyone going to Detroit for the game, tell them to look us up. We'd be
happy to help them out. We'll do the same on our site when the Lions head to Minnesota in
December. Let you guys bat some Lions fans around.


Good luck this season. Let me know if you ever find your ass in Detroit.

- Kevin