Archive for July, 2008

The anti-Favre-to-Minnesota lobby should be encouraged by this Green Bay Press-Gazette Story: Jets’ trade talks for Favre heat up The New York Jets are in serious talks with the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre’s agent about acquiring the legendary quarterback, a source said today. The Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only teams that have permission to speak with Favre about a potential trade for now. Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, has been in talks with the Jets, who have shown a growing interest, but Cook has not been working closely with the Buccaneers, according to two sources. Favre [...]

The Vikings are in River Falls, Wisconsin today to meet the Chiefs in their annual scrimmage. I was going to journey down to witness it…then decided I had better things to do than drive for hours on a scorching hot day in a car with busted air conditioning.  And I’m not the only one who skipped the trip as it turns out…so did Jared Allen, who was all set to go up against his old team before the Vikes pulled the plug.  Brad Childress explains (via Access Vikings): I’m going to be selective in the guys that need to compete [...]

I’ve said all along that I thought Brett Favre would end up back starting for the Packers this year…but now I’ve had to change my mind.  The bribe story did it.  If you didn’t hear, Packers president Mark Murphy, who met with Favre and his agent Bus Cook yesterday in Mississippi, reportedly offered Brett $20 million over 10 years to simply stay retired.  This clinches it – the Packers don’t want him back.  They’re sick of the drama the same way the Red Sox are sick of the Manny drama. Of course Favre didn’t accept the stay-gone money…he wants to [...]

Jared Allen is sporting a full beard in training camp.  In this video (click on “Quick Hits: Lumberjack?” when you get to the site), he tells us what he thinks of people who don’t like it.  Don’t worry, it’s SFW. Question:  Does Bryant McKinnie get beard-burn when they snuggle? Question:  Do I deserve to have my ass kicked for all this Bryant/Jared gay innuendo?

The Packers have dispatched president Mike Murphy to the swamp to talk to Brett Favre. The conventional wisdom is that Murphy is there to convince Brett to stay away from Packers training camp, the team fearing his presence at camp would cause too much of a distraction. Speaking of distractions…the Vikings continue to be at the center of all Favre speculation. It’s generally believed that if Favre is cut he would be in Purple faster than Jared Allen going around Bryant McKinnie. Up till now, it’s been assumed that the Packers would do everything in their power to prevent Favre [...]

Jared Allen took a break from humiliating Bryant McKinnie on Tuesday to get in some reps at tight end. Allen, we recall, was used by the Chiefs at tight end in goal line situations last year, catching a pair of touchdowns (twice as many as Vikings starting tight end Visanthe Shiancoe was able to haul in himself last season).

Ray Edwards (back) will probably come off the PUP list this week and get some practice time. Pat Williams has been nursing his elbow which was operated on in the off-season but is finally seeing some action. That’s half our alleged big-time defensive line right there. Be a shame to see the plan messed up by injuries. Garrett Mills injured his ankle the other day and is still not back on the field. Thomas Tapeh, our new blocking fullback, took a big hit yesterday morning but is now back. Bobby Wade is missing today according to Judd Zulgad’s Access Vikings [...]

Dark Knight rules the roost. Also…the goatee. Love it? Hate it?

Tarvaris Jackson tosses a souvenir ball to a fan after Vikings practice.  It sailed three feet over the fan’s head, striking an old lady in the eye.  The old lady cried, “I wish you were Brett Favre!”

Antoine Winfield is not only fine with lining up against the slot man, he actually welcomes the opportunity: I love the slot.  You get more action, the chance to make more plays. A lot of teams throw the ball to the slot receiver on third down, so there’s just more opportunity out there. Vikings D-coordinator Leslie Frazier may actually prefer letting Winfield play against the slot-man, since Marcus McCauley is perceived as being better on the outside.  Problem is, McCauley is far from having the nickelback spot locked down, but is facing fierce competition from Charles Gordon and Benny Sapp.  [...]