The Season Nears... What to Expect From Recent Viking Behavior

It was a busy off season for me. After the Vikings lost to the Redskins last December and sent to me to another early season ending depression, I got busy.  A complete career change, a Twins Spring Training vacation, one kick ass draft party at Winter Park, a few road trips for outdoor baseball games and one brand new baby girl later, I can finally write about the 2008 Vikings season.

Everyone is talking Super Bowl, and expectations are high for the team this season.  The Vikings hauled in huge offseason pieces, trading for former Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive end Jared Allen, and signing deep threat Bernard Berrian from rival Chicago, along with safety Madieu Williams (Bengals) to boost the secondary.

Along with Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, Allen gives the Vikings one of the best defensive lines in the league. With a defense that can stonewall any running game, many fans and NFL gurus are chiding that the ‘Purple People Eaters’ are back.

The Vikings offense features a running game headed by All-World, All-Day Adrian Peterson (Yes, I drafted him with the #2 overall pick in my fantasy draft this year- the first time I have taken a Vikings in the 1^st round since Randy Moss in 1998) who runs like a bucking bronco. With another great year from Peterson and fellow running back Chester Taylor, the Vikings could actually make the playoffs?

But the biggest question mark is still the quarterback. We all watched T-Jack play decent in preseason right? I mean, he was effective for the few quarters we saw, right? The positive Viking fan would say yes, but the realistic fans would still be reluctant.

There was a reason that Coach Childress and the Vikings to be excited with the possible acquisition of Brett Favre last month. Had the Vikings been able to land the former Cheese Head (aka Captain Intercepto) they would have durable quarterback, a proven veteran, a warrior who was familiar with the offense.  But, the Packers made sure their guy didn’t land in enemy territory, leaving the purple with a young, green injury prone quarterback who is backed up by a decent veteran in Gus Frerotte

Looking at legitimate Super Bowl contenders like New England, Dallas, San Diego, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, one observes a certain formula that all share; a veteran star quarterback, a pound it running game and a smash em in the face defense.  The Vikings lack the first element.

My little 4-year old kid strongly disagrees. He thinks that T-Jack is the man, wears a #7 jersey, and calls him “da man.”  He also thinks I am the greatest dad in the World. Maybe he is right?  

World Harbors Won't Let Gas Prices Interfere With Game Day Tailgating!

(Auburn, ME - August 25, 2008)            As football fans everywhere gear up for their favorite time of the year, World Harbors, Inc. is helping them get ready for the party in the parking lot.  This football season, World Harbors, the Maine-based creator of affordable gourmet sauces and marinades, is pleased to launch its first Free Gas 4 Tailgating Contest. 
 
The contest kicks off on August 25th  at www.freegas4tailgating.com, where World Harbors and Buccaneer Blends will post a copy of the NFL football schedule each week.  Entrants must correctly select the winners of each game scheduled for that week and submit their choices online.  The entrants with the most correct selections each week will be placed into a random drawing for a free $50 gas card.  All valid entries received for the weekly contest will also be entered into the grand prize drawings. Prizes include:

•  One $1,000 free gas card
  
• A Sony Bravia 5.1 Channel Home Theater Stereo System
  
• A Nintendo Wii
  
• A Canon Powershot 8.0 Megapixel Digital Camera
  
• 4 x 1 year supplies of World Harbors, Angostura, Buccaneer Blends, or Acadia Naturals Products
  
• Seventeen Free $50 gas cards

The ideal companion for any tailgating party, World Harbors' line of 16 sauces and marinades are inspired by flavors from around the world and bring affordable International taste to poultry, meat, seafood and vegetables using favorites such as Australian Style BBQ Sauce, Oriental Style Cheriyaki Glaze, Hawaiian Style Teriyaki and Island Mango. World Harbors and Angostura branded products are available in all major grocery stores throughout the United States and online at www.worldharbors.com.

For complete rules, regulations, and submission details, please visit: www.freegas4tailgating.com

About World Harbors
World Harbors, Inc. is renowned for its World Harbors® brand, the leading specialty food brand of the sauce and marinade category.  World Harbors is distributed to retail stores throughout the United States and in select international markets and the company also distributes an all-natural sauce and marinade brand called Acadia Naturals and Buccaneer Blends™ BBQ and Steak Sauces. World Harbors, Inc. is a division of Trinidad based Angostura Limited, makers of Angostura Aromatic Bitters and is a distributor of Bitters, Angostura Mixers and Angostura sauces in the United States. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Auburn, ME, the company’s state of the art production facility continues to expand production as demand increases, with over 5 million units produced in 2007. For more information, visit www.worldharbors.com

Packer Kids Booing Aaron Rodgers (So Whaa!t)

Packer kids are swaering at Aaaron Rodgers, the new starting QB for the Cheese. In typical Lambeau fashion, the passion of fans is completely wacked. Rodgers doesn't get it:

"I understand it to some point if I put myself into a Favre fanatic's shoes," Rodgers said of getting booed. "The things I can't understand, the things I really take personally, is when I'm driving up to the (parking lot) gate and punching in my punch code and somebody says ‘F.U.' to me. That kind of bothers me. Or when a little kid is yelling swear words at me. That kind of gets to me. The boos, they expect a high level of play and they miss Brett Favre. I understand that. But the ‘F.U.' and the little kids saying swear words to me, I don't understand that."

Good stuff from Dairyland

Um...There Goes the Hood?

Forwarded to me by Lil Buddy, a press release delivering news of big brother:

NEW YORK - The NFL implemented a new code of fan conduct today, warning that spectators who misbehave will be ejected from stadiums and barred from coming back.

The policy, first recommended by commissioner Roger Goodell at league meetings in April, is aimed at conduct that the league said "detracts from the game day experience."

It includes bans on:

* Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.

* Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.

* Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

* Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.

* Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.

* Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.

"The in-stadium experience is critically important to the NFL, our clubs and our fans and it will be a major focus this season," Goodell said in a statement. "We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can — from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium."

The league also left teams the option of adding additional provisions to the code based on local circumstances. It said the guidelines would be contained in mailings to fans and signs posted at stadiums.