Archive for August, 2009

When Brett Favre announced earlier today that he thought he might have a cracked rib, the door was opened for a few cynics to suggest the veteran quarterback was merely lining up some handy excuses should he stink up the joint in his first (and likely only) extended preseason appearance of the year. These cynics – I don’t know any of them personally, but I know they’re out there – owe Brett an apology after his performance on Monday night against the Houston Texans. Favre, playing the entire first half with the first-team Vikings offense, quieted the naysayers by going [...]

Vikings.com‘s Twitter feed reports that Jim Kleinsasser is the only Viking not dressing for tonight’s game.  There had been some question whether Bernard Berrian or Phil Loadholt would be playing.  Now we know they will at least be suiting up.  Whether they see action is another story. Make this your game thread if you have to have one (I assume I still have commenters; no idea since I stopped checking).  I will be on Twitter at least for the first half.

ESPN has been told by Brett Favre that he may have a cracked rib.  The quarterback says that taking deep breaths gives him pain, and also says he has no plans to wear padding during Monday night’s preseason extravaganza. This on the heels of Favre’s comment that he would “be surprised” if he is able to move the offense up and down the field and score touchdowns tonight.   Sounds like someone’s trying to lower expectations. That’s okay Brett – my expectations are already pretty low.

You probably thought you’d heard the last of Onterrio Smith‘s infamous Whizzinator.  Well you were wrong.  The Whizzinator has returned, and it is in the possession of a Mankato tavern owner who intends putting it on public display. If you ever dreamed of seeing the urine-dispensing rubber penis that helped ruin Onterrio Smith’s once-promising career as an NFL running back, you soon will be able to, thanks to Matt Little of Buster’s Sports Bar & Grill, who purchased said disgusting item for $750 at an auction, and is planning to hang it behind glass. But Little’s plans are even bigger [...]

Ever wished you could get updates from your favorite Fansided.com Sports Network blogs on your iPhone?  Now you don’t have to wish.  Thanks to Real Time Pro Football ’09, Fansided’s controversial, entertaining and sometimes infuriating content is available on everyone’s favorite (mostly non-exploding) take-your-crap everywhere device.  Just get the app from iTunes and go to the blogs section.  The Viking Age and all the other fine blogs (even that Bears stuff) will be right there.  You can carry us around in your pocket.  Smuggle us into Middle Eastern countries in your rectum.  Whatever cooks your sick, sick noodle. Oh, and [...]

Jared Allen, like most people, had no idea what the word “schism” meant before it inexplicably became the nucleus around which the entire cloud of Favre-related media idiocy began orbiting.  Jared says he actually thought “schism” was an STD.  That’s funny.  Every team should have a Jared Allen on it, a guy who can defuse annoying, irksome and possibly distracting situations via inappropriate humor. The World of Isaac

The nightmare Favre scenario was always more than just Brett raising the hopes of Vikings fans and then failing miserably, it was that his prima donna attitude and overall selfishness would undermine locker room chemistry and scuttle what could’ve otherwise been a successful season. Sadly, it looks like that nightmare scenario is beginning to unfold. Reports of rifts, ruptures and even “schisms” in the locker room are coming in almost too fast to digest.  The most disheartening one, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter, says Favre has “little support” among Viking players, and uses terms that conjure images of the Catholic church [...]

Brett Favre has the records.  He has the Super Bowl ring.  He has the mythic acts of heroism.  But one thing he may not have?  The backing of the entire Vikings locker room. The evidence keeps trickling out indicating that, indeed, Brett is not the #1 choice of everyone who will be suiting up for the Vikings this year.  “Per a source with knowledge of the locker-room dynamics in Minnesota,” reports Mike Florio, “there’s a ‘faction’ that still prefers Tarvaris Jackson.” Yes, that Tarvaris Jackson. According to Florio, this pro-Jackson faction, its size “undetermined,” believes Favre is over-the-hill, and that [...]

Brett Favre has put the Vikings on the map, as evidenced by this Conan O’Brien bit.  Isn’t this what so many of the Favre supporters have truly been hoping for?  Relevance in the national media?  A little salve for their Midwestern inferiority complex? It’s never been about football for them; it’s always been about getting some attention.  Well now you got it.  And if/when Favre falls on his face and the Vikings become laughing stocks?  You’ll get even more of it, and not the kind you want. NESW Sports

Brad Childress says Brett Favre will play the entire first half against the Houston Texans Monday, giving everyone a nice long look at the man some would be willing to sacrifice innocent animals to be rid of. Starters usually get more action in the third preseason game than any other, so it’s no surprise that Brett – who, despite the last preseason game, is still the starter – would be in there for two entire quarters. Assuming his old legs hold up for two entire quarters. I’m sure the Texans people appreciate Brad making this announcement well in advance of [...]