Premature EFAVREulation: Vikings Fans Guilty as Charged.

For some sick twisted reason, I always wrote "IF" in front of very story in this blog about Brett Favre returning to the Vikings.

Call me cautious or realistic, but the bottom line is my hunch was, and still continues to be, that Captain Intercepto was "playing" the Vikes the whole time. I never actually trusted that there would be #4 with Favre on the back leading the Vikings to the Bowl, but I did want to see it happen. I will admit that it would have been a great story, but it just didn't make sense.

The Joker, the Penguin, and other evil comic characters who are evil villains never turn to the good guys, so it just seemed odd that Favre would be a Viking.

The sad thing is that many diehard Vikings fans bought the hope, and prematurely invested their kids milk money into the "rogue" Viking jerseys with Favre's name on the back. They spent time blogging and chatting about #4 in purple, and believing all the rumors about the property that Favre was buying at Bearpath or Lake Minnetonka. They prematurely Efavreulated.

I am sure we have all heard the old fable, opinions are like assholes, every one has one. The news media ran with every rumor they heard as if it were fact, and everyone with an opinion, blogged, tweeted and facebooked it up like it was a Walter Cronkite news scoop. The fact is these opinions weren't news they were merely speculative assumptions.

We are not supposed to ASSume that specualtion is reality, but everybody does nowadays. This creates a perception that becomes a false reality. In the case of Favre as a Viking, we heard daily updates from ESPN, KFAN, the Star & Tribune, the Pioneer Press and thousands of sources filing their stories as fact.

The airwaves, tv screens, and print media were flooded with "he said, she said" stories that Vikings fans wanted to believe. When they were told it's a done deal, these these stories, or opinions became perceived reality, and created what Dennis Green once called, "asshole journalism!"

With training camp on the horizon, Brett Favre must make a decision. Assuming he does return, there are several tough issues he'll need to face.

By Josh Wussow
As his self-imposed deadline looms closer and closer, one wonders where Brett Favre will find his hands come September – clutching a football in the pocket of his offensive line, or tucking a wrench into the pocket of his Wranglers.

Whether you follow the NFC North or not, the potential storyline is enticing. But beyond the drama and the WWE-style grudge matches, there are some real questions to be answered here. Would the Vikings offense be better with one of history's greatest signal callers under center? And how would Favre gel with Adrian Peterson?

Assuming he does come back, here are some of the main issues he could face:

READ Full ARTICLE at FOOTBALL.COM

Former NFL star Vick's dogfighting sentence ending

If Brett Favre backs out of his "agreement" and house in Minnesota, what do you all think of about getting this guy to replace T-Jack?

Suspended NFL star Michael Vick's federal dogfighting sentence has ended, freeing him to lobby for a return to the field.

Vick's attorney Lawrence Woodward said Vick was released from federal custody Monday at his home in Virginia. Vick had been under home confinement for the last two months of his 23-month sentence. The federal Bureau of Prisons had listed Vick's release date as Monday. Freedom will allow Vick to step up his efforts to resume his pro football career. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will review Vick's status after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback completes his sentence. If Vick is able to return to the NFL, it won't be with Atlanta. The Falcons released Vick in June.

Judas Favre T-Shirts with # 4 spotted near Lambeau Field...

This is getting pretty sad, and I can't believe I am writing about it, but some cheeseheads in Wisconsin are already printing up their version of a Viking Favre Jersey.

No it's not Reebok, and no there are not tailgaters "pimpin" their product all over Facebook (yet), but I thought this would be worthy of review.

It so reminds me of the "I Play When I wanna Play, Smoke what I wanna smoke" t-shirts that are sold "underground" in the lots. (These are my favorite types of NFL apparel by the way, the seedy underground stuff that you can only get in a lot.)

Tailgating Lot Fantasy Football 2009 (9 spots left)

JOIN HERE LINK

You have been invited to join The Vikingstailgate.com custom Fantasy Football League in Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football,

The league is called VikingsTailgaters.

In order to join the league, follow the link above or go to game front page, click the "Sign Up Now" or "Get Another Team" button and follow the links to "Join a Custom League". When prompted, enter the League ID# and password below.

League ID#: 106927
Password: favre
Yahoo We will send you a confirmation with further details once you have completed the registration process.

The winner of this season's championship will be given a Free 6-pack of Grain Belt Premium Beer, and a Custom made certificate for the Lot Championship at the Vikings first home playoff game this January (or last home game in December). The ultimate champ must find the goalposts in lot #3 to claim the prize.

The league is FREE!

Okay, so the Waffling Favre is Presenting Doubt on Returning

According to ESPN Reporter, Ed Werder in a July 10th post:

"'...Favre informed Bevell and Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman that he wants to play in Minnesota during the upcoming season but remains unable to commit because he wants to be totally confident that he can provide the team with 16-plus healthy starts before doing so..."

What this means is that he is either stalling, holding out for more money in contract situation, or might have been playing the Vikings the whole time? Either way, all the jerseys, the hype and hoopla surrounding Favre as a sure thing in Minnesota is still just speculation.

Will the fun ever stop?

It will be a interesting next few weeks for sure.

Sport's Illustrated for Kids: Vikings QB's with Favre

Follow the link to see a nice photo slide show of Vikings QB's over the years, including Favre, Kapp, Kramer and Tarkenton. This is getting fun, and dare I say exciting?

Source: Favre Will Be At Vikings' Training Camp

From WCCO's Mark Rosen:

Barring some unforeseen major physical setback, Brett Favre will be at training camp in Mankato when they open up the end of July, a source has told WCCO's Mark Rosen.

That source said that Favre and the Vikings have indeed come to a contractual agreement, with heavy incentives. The Vikings equipment manager has already ordered number 4 purple jerseys with his name on it.

However, on Sunday, Favre's longtime agent, Bus Cooke denied a report that was out there that Favre and the Vikings had come to an agreement.

What isn't known is when this will be officially announced. Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress is in Alaska fishing this week with his good friend, Eagles head coach, Andy Reid.

ProFootballTalk.com speculated the announcement will come Fourth of July weekend, when a lot of media folks are on vacation to minimize the circus atmosphere.

John David Booty is currently wearing number 4, but not for long. Rosen said he believes the Vikings will keep Booty. The logical man to try and move would be Tavaris Jackson with Sage Rosenfels backing Favre up and ready to take over if Favre can't get the job done.

2009 and All That

So the Twins are back to .500 it's early July and Brett Favre really should be back in school.

Wake up Vikes fans, we are about to embark on a great season of throwing it back to where it all starts; in the Tailgating Lot. The boys and gals at Vikingstailgate.com have a kick ass offense in play for the upcoming season, and NONE of includes self promotion, competition or a game plan.

We are showing up in the lot all season long, circling the wagons, painting up the goalposts and tailgating like the kids from Metropolitan Stadium. It's been 32 plus years since the Vikings went bowling, and that is a steak that has to stop.

Stay tuned.