I have no idea who Bobby Wade is endorsing for president in ‘08, but I do know who he’s supporting for the all-important job of Vikings quarterback: Tarvaris Jackson.
Wade said of Jackson after Sunday’s loss in Denver:
A guy that put that type of work in this year. Fight through injuries. New offense. New players. That’s very rare to find, especially at that position. To have that thick skin and that short-term memory and to continue to play, I’m just excited to have Tarvaris, and I’m excited to see where he’s going.
Tarvaris definitely showed flair and command during the Vikings’ furious [...]

The Vikings showed grit and determination late in their Week 17 match-up against the Denver Broncos. Down 19-3 in the 4th quarter and looking flatter than roadkill, the Vikes managed to mount a furious rally, highlighted by a pair of Tarvaris Jackson-to-Bobby Wade touchdown passes, and two runs for 2-point conversions by Jackson himself. This tied the score at 19-19 – a tally that would hold through regulation. Unfortunately, on the first possession of overtime, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson fumbled, giving the Broncos the ball deep in Minnesota territory. Jason Elam then put a 30-yard field goal [...]

I’ve seen all I ever want to see of Troy Williamson.  And I think Brad Childress agrees.
Well, we knew Chester Taylor had little fumble issues sometimes.  Those came up and bit us today didn’t they?
Tarvaris is missing those little short passes to open receivers again.  But, let’s give him time, right?
Not much from Adrian again.  The holes are there for Chester and Mewelde but don’t seem to be for AD.  Kinda funny…
Our tackling has been atrocious in this game.  We miss Antoine Winfield against the run again.
Brandon Marshall is a terrific player.  Wish we had him.
Where has Garrett Mills been [...]

Legendary Vikings coach Bud Grant says Tarvaris Jackson hasn’t had enough of a shot yet for anyone to know whether he’s NFL caliber.  The quote:
[Fans] are trying to evaluate him on the basis of very few games.  I don’t know that that’s fair to him, to try to put a tag on him at this point.
Quarterbacks do move around a little bit. I mean, Tarkenton went from here to the Giants and back to us, and was a great quarterback. So, on the basis of a year or two, I’m not sure. You put [Jackson] with the best players, and [...]

Year almost over, season almost over.  Despite their best choking efforts the Vikings can still get in the playoffs. Just beat Denver and hope Brad Johnson and the Cowboys’ scrubs can bump off Washington.
Well, it was a nice run. Really, a hell of a time. But all good things must come to an end and so will the Vikings’ season today. They don’t have anyone to blame but themselves either. No twists of fate or blown calls. All they had to do was beat an average team at home and they would’ve punched their [...]

It’s time now to hand out The Viking Age’s year-end awards for excellence and not-excellence in professional football. Winners will receive a tiny gold statue of Ragnar and a certificate suitable for framing or making a paper airplane out of.

Achievement in Making Falcons Fans Forget About Michael Vick and Not in a Good Way
Bobby “The Weasel” Petrino

Worst Imitation of a Playoff Team
Minnesota Vikings

Biggest Richard
Terrell Owens

Biggest Boner
Joe Gibbs calling two straight time-outs while attempting to ice Buffalo’s kicker, hence incurring a 15-yard penalty, hence giving the Bills a shorter game-winning field goal

Biggest Boner of the Other Kind
The one Tony Romo [...]

Pat Williams has missed practice all week with a bum elbow and knee but the big man says he’ll be good to go Sunday against the Broncos.  Ditto Sidney Rice, who’s missed the last couple of games with a high ankle sprain but did manage to practice this week.
Then there’s Antoine Winfield, who’s still nursing a strained left pectoral muscle.  The Vikes’ #1 corner said of his status for Sunday:
If I can’t protect myself, there’s no need [to risk playing]. No need.
Doesn’t sound to me like Antoine will be taking the field anytime soon.  One has to wonder if he [...]