Someone Had a Clue

In spite of considerable effort to give it away, the Vikings won that game against the Bears. I was on the right track, but wrong again (even if I didn't predict an outright loss, I was getting ready for that outcome, wasn't I?) My son reminded me that he had a different - far more accurate, as it turns out - pre-season view of the Vikings prospects. So I dug out his August e-mail. He tells me he's available if ESPN calls.

In an idle moment today (August 30) I came across the ESPN NFL power rankings. Naturally, I scrolled down to find the Vikings. And scrolled and scrolled, until foundthem at 27. I know they're not exactly Walsh's Niners but what the Heck? Below the Chiefs, the Lions? Dolphins, Bills, Redskins? I was stunned. What were they thinking? Well, here it is:

"Vikes: Whew! The Kelly Holcomb Sweepstakes are over, and the Vikings are the big winners. And their prize? A journeyman quarterback with 21 starts who'll provide backup for Tavaris Jackson."

Never mind that Johnny Unitas couldn't win throwing to Dennis Northcutt and Steve Heiden, but who cares about Kelly Holcomb? Defining a team solely by a backup quarterback is pretty thin, and in this case, way off the mark.

The Vikes have the strongest offensive left side of the line in all of football, and two very capable runners to pound behind it. That, coupled with a top ten defense (top 5 against the run) should merit them more respect the 27th spot.

Of those listed ahead of the Vikings, let’s start with the Chiefs. You want to talk QB problems? Damon Huard won some games last year, but apparently has had such a bad camp that he was one dropped pass away from losing his job to Brodie Croyle. Ok, they do have Larry Johnson and, well, that's it. The line is depleted, the defense sucks and Tony Gonzales is so far from his glory days he's getting mistaken for Carlos Mencia at the local Bi-Lo.

The Lions make me sick really. Everyone in the country must have Alzheimer's and be sun-downing at the same time. "Jon Kitna must be pinching himself. Roy Williams? Calvin Johnson? Any quarterback would love to have that combination," This could easily read "Charles Rogers? Mike Williams?" Why is this year so different? They did nothing in the off-season about the O-line or lousy defense.

I’m not sure if sports writers that think this is Detroit's year remind me of more the Heaven's Gate people trying to hitch a ride on Hale Bop, or the old woman in The Notebook who can't remember 5 minutes ago.

The Dolphins are marching out an opening day roster that has an offense led by Trent Green, and a defense led by Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor. Combinedage? 103. These guys still turn-on MTV and expect to see music videos. They remember when cameras just took pictures and phones just took calls.

Minny gets no love. They'll just have to earn it on the field.

Ashley Thomas