Archive for October, 2008

I was clicking around looking for post fodder (Jared Allen hasn’t said anything dumb today so I was a little hard-up) when I came across a small head-scratcher from some fellow named Bill Barnwell, a contributing editor at footballoutsiders.com.  Barnwell was speaking to the Dallas Morning News about the Dallas Cowboys‘ QB situation, which right now boils down to a choice between former Vikings back-ups Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger.  Barnwell said the Cowboys probably wouldn’t be any worse off with Bollinger in there than Johnson – more an indictment of Johnson than an endorsement of Bollinger.  He then went [...]

Jared Allen has been doing a blog for the Pioneer-Press all season (if I ever paid attention to the Pioneer-Press, which tends to take on a weak-sister role to the Star-Trib in terms of Vikings coverage, I might actually have noticed this sooner).  Today’s post is about the bye week and all the fun Jared had killing birds with Chad Greenway and getting his driver’s license.  Here’s Jared in giddy teenager mode: I also got my driver’s license on Tuesday. It was awesome. I went back to Arizona [his offseason home] to fill out some paperwork and get reinstated. I [...]

Former Vikings safety Karl Kassulke died Monday of a heart attack at the age of 67.  Kassulke played 10 years with the Vikings after being drafted out of Drake, making the Pro Bowl once, and starting in Super Bowl IV.  His career was cut short in 1973 when, while riding his motorcycle to training camp, he suffered an accident that paralyzed him from the waist down.  Bob Lurtsema, who was to be Kassulke’s roommate that year, remembers the moment coach Bud Grant informed the team of the crash  (via the Star-Tribune): Bud broke down and started to cry. Tears were [...]

A member of the Wilf family, speaking under condition of anonymity, told Star-Trib columnist Sid Hartman that owner Zygi Wilf is happy with the job Brad Childress has done this season, and forecast an NFC North division title for the team this year.  So this unnamed member of the Wilf brood sees the Vikings shoring up their myriad problems and fending off the Packers and Bears, teams the Vikings have already lost to once each this year?  That’s optimism.  Hartman himself, in typical Kool Aid chugger fashion, said he also believes the Wilfs picked the right man when they chose [...]

Jared Allen looked around at everything that’s going on with the team, including the imminent suspension of two of his D-line mates for taking peepee pills, and decided now would be a great time to spout off about all the fines being imposed by the league for various verbal offenses.  “The First Amendment is out the window,” ranted Allen.  “I say something wrong I could get another fine. I might get fined for that.” Uh…then don’t say anything.  Oh, I’m sorry – you’ve got loads of wisdom to impart.  Like? I tell you what, I think it’s kind of getting [...]

(Dan Zinski writes for The Viking Age, which is FSB’s Minnesota Vikings blog. Representing the rest of the NFC North are Bear Goggles On, Lombardi Ave. and SideLion Report.) Three of the four teams took the week off, leaving the Lions alone to represent the division. They of course lost. Chicago Bears (4-3): Looking Back: The Bears have been solid throughout the season, but a couple of late-game meltdowns kept their record from being better. They’ve discovered a passing game – which is good news because Devin Hester is no longer Mr. Electric in the return game and the defense [...]

No one’s talking about the impending suspensions of Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for use of a banned substance.  Brad Childress was asked about it but he gave the usual spiel: As has always been our standard here, I can’t comment on any of those league mandated things so I really can’t shed any light. And then he bitched about the story being leaked and took a shot at reporters, saying, “We’re not going to allow it to be a distraction. Any of it. It’s just unfortunate that, as [attorney] David Cornwell said, that somebody is able to put their thumbs [...]

Were you enjoying your peaceful bye week?  I was too.  And then the shit hit the fan…we just found out that Pat Williams and Kevin Williams are among the players who tested positive for a banned diuretic.  Both halves of the famed Williams Wall now face four game suspensions.  It’s believed that the so-called “water pills” were used by players trying to get under a certain weight.  Unfortunately, the substance can also be used to mask steroid use – hence its inclusion on the banned list.  The players facing suspension, including several members of the Saints, have all retained counsel [...]

Daunte Culpepper‘s “retirement” came to a predictable end today with his announcement that he wants to play football some more and is mulling offers from various teams.  “As much as I have enjoyed my brief break from playing, I know that I love the game and I have some unfinished business in the NFL,” said the former Viking QB.  “It has never been because of a lack of passion for the game but rather, the absence of a fair opportunity to compete and play that caused me to retire.  Now that there are some real opportunities that match my desire [...]

It’s with relief I report that popular KFAN personality Jeff “Puffy” Dubay is not a meth-head as previously rumored but is merely on coke.  Dubay will now face charges of fifth-degree felony possession – he was arrested Wednesday night after being pulled over – and will probably get diverted into a program.  I’m wishing Puffy well – Fanline won’t be the same without his bitterness counteracting Mike Morris‘s endless cheerleading and rambling explanations of crap he clearly knows nothing about.  Nothing against Tenna-B but…damn.  If dude were any dumber he’d be Sludge.