Anyone else think that the New England Patriots are the greatest team of all time? I'm willing to bet all you arm-chair quarterbacks that with two weeks to prepare, head coach Bill Belichick could come up with a way to beat the '85 Bears, the '72 Fins, the '75 Steelers, the '66 Packers, and any other team that you want to offer up as the Greatest Team Ever.

Belichick has carefully hand-picked and nurtured each player to ensure that each is willing to do whatever is necessary to beat you. I really enjoyed watching the Patriots this year. Anyone who can beat the conceited Peyton Manning and also dash the hopes of the worst fans in the league (Eagles) is A-OK in my book.

Anyone else agree? Anyone not? If so, why?

Moss Talks

In an interview that will air in its entirety Thursday night on KFAN, Randy Moss wil address recent trade rumors for the first time publicly, saying the speculation hasn’t bothered him and expressing desire to remain a Viking.

“I don’t really get caught up in trade rumors, ‘cause this is a business,” Moss said. “…If I get traded from here…I’m gonna probably be a little sore, a little mad, but not at the organization – probably just because I’m leaving here, and (losing) the love that I’ve developed here of growing to love the game and Minnesota.”

The interview, conducted with Vikings play-by-play voice Paul Allen, was recorded as a promotion for Moss’ celebrity bass fishing tournament, which will take place on Lake Minnetonka in late June. Half the proceeds from the tournament will benefit the SMILE Foundation.

The interview will air in its entirety during KFAN’s Outdoors program Thursday night. FAN Outdoors airs from 7-9 p.m. Those out of the Twin Cities should be able to hear the broadcast via live streaming.

And it looks like Daunte Culpepper is wondering if Moss will be back with the team. He even appears ready to move on. He believes Minnesota should keep together as much of that offense as possible, reserving its biggest changes for the defense.

"There are a lot of things we can do to improve on defense, and some of that you might be able to do with a trade,'' Culpepper said. ``We've also got a lot of guys who can get the job done if we just play together. That's the most important thing: all of us playing together as a team.''

Could We Steal Some Bucks, er, I Mean Bucs?

If the Vikings were to lose backup QB Gus Frerotte, could it be that we would see Opie back in purple? Who the hell is Opie, you ask? If you don't know who Opie is, then consider yourself a '98 season bandwagon jumper. You know who you are. Didn't know squat about the Vikings until the infamous 15-1 season. Wouldn't know Carl Eller if he passed you in the street. Thought Fran Tarkenton was in the Ring of Honor because he once hosted Monday Night Football. All us die-hards from the 60's turn up our noses at your kind.

OK, enough smack. Opie is none other than Brad Johnson. From Black Mountain, North Carolina with a face that resembled Opie (Ron Howard) from the Andy Griffith show (don't start with me you youngin's!). So, during his 7-year stint with the Vikings, his teammates called him Opie. Uh-huh.

I once interviewed Brad's mother, Ellen during the 1998 season when I co-hosted a weekly radio show with Ragnar. Ellen Johnson, an assistant principal at Safety Harbor Middle School in Black Mountain, was as genuine as they came. And a hoot to interview. I should pull out those old show tapes sometime and see if I can upload them.

Anyway, here's the Dilly-O. A report posted at PewterReport.com compiles a list of Buccaneers who could be walking the plank unless they go through a contract restructuring, and those who likely will be gone regardless of their willingness to take a pay cut. And plenty of recognizable names could soon be on their way out. Here are some the Vikings should at least take a look at.

Quarterback Brad Johnson is even money to be let go by the Bucs. And with prospects of a trade of the 37-year-old veteran looking slim, especially in light of his current contract, which pays him like the starter that he no longer is. But he has what Daunte Culpepper needs if Frerotte should go elsewhere. A mentor, a friend, a coach, and a shoulder to cry on when the chips are down. All things Frerotte has done to assist in elevating Culpepper to being a Pro-Bowl quarterback.

New Miami Dolphis coach Nick Saban wants a veteran QB to serve as a backup. Frerotte has a leg up in that he knows newly hired offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's offense as he played in it for two years with success as Culpepper's back up. So, unless something changes, Frerotte will most likely be gone and Culpepper will need a backup. That's why I'm putting forth a plug for Opie to come home....and then hope he never sees the field!

Others who likely will be released from the Bucs include fullback Mike Alstott and cornerback Mario Edwards. If James Kleinsasser comes back full strength, we have no need for Alstott. If Kleinsasser is slow getting up to speed by the time of the May mini-camp, it would mean Alstott's name could be uttered deep in the bowels of Winter Park.

Edwards would just provide much needed depth in the defensive backfield but I doubt he gets a look.

Those other Bucs who face a restructuring (or trade, perhaps) could include cornerback Ronde Barber, linebacker Derrick Brooks, linebacker Ian Gold, receiver Joe Jurevicius, and defensive end Simeon Rice.

Hold the fort!

Close your eyes and think of the 2005-06 campaign wherein the defensive for the Vikings has names such as Barber, Brooks, Gold, and Rice to go along with Williams and Winfield. Kinda of makes you all warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it?

Of course, we have about as much chance as that happening as me buying the Vikings from Red McCombs. But even if we could get one of those defensive gems.....

Any of these Bucs names do anything for you? Or should the Vikings pass on them?

From the Sidelines

Something for parents on how the trend of increasing the responsibilities of the public schools has accelerated in the last several decades. Goes back to my stance that parents, not schools, should be primarily raising our children while schools should be primarily educating our children.

I'll never forget when doing some relief work at a local pharmacy one of the highschool cashiers told me how he was taking a class that taught kids how to wash clothes. I was incredulous, but it was true. I feel that is something that's a learning experience which should be taught at home, not at school. Anyone else have some examples?

Where will it end?

Links and Tidbits

Check out this billboard on the west end of the Sunset Strip. Yeah, baby! Thanks to the Greet Machine for giving me a heads-up on this one.

For all my Brit readers....Scottish men can now marry their ex-mothers-in-law following legal changes by the Scottish Executive. Explain that one to me!

More stuff for my fellow pub lovers....A Dutchman sick of noise from the Irish pub next door nailed the doors shut, drilled a hole in the wall and flooded the crowded bar with his hosepipe. Don't you just hate the Dutch!?!?

And for my female Brit readers (and my wife!)....Tom Jones has asked women who come to his concerts to in future remove the price tag before they throw knickers onstage.

I wish someone had video-taped this...Mugger picks on wrong pensioner.

Posted by maasx003 at February 10, 2005 12:00 PM