When strong safety Donovin Darius signs with the Vikings this week or next (Fred Smoot all but assured it on a KFAN interview), the Vikings defensive backfield will be the best they've had since the Joe Namath I Guarantee A Victory Era. Some of you old timers like myself may argue that point with me but you have to agree that next season the Vikes will field the best defensive backfield since the Joe Namath I Want to Kiss You Era.

Add into the mix a strong, run-stuffing defensive line with Williams One and Williams Two and the Vikings have the makings of a Top Ten defense. Even if the Moss-less offense looses some fire power and drops from its typical NFL top ranking but stays within the Top Ten stats-wise, you are looking at a balanced total package much like the current Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots.

And that, in my mind, makes the Vikes legitimate NFC Title contenders this coming season.

Is It Sponge Worthy?

Based on Elaine Benes of the great Seinfeld sitcom, each week or so I will introduce another blog that I have come across and have begun reading on a regular basis. You, my valued reader, will decide if it deserves a permanent link on my site under the category of Sponge Worthy Links.

You recall the Seinfeld episode. Elaine only uses the sponge as her form of birth control. When the sponge is to be discontinued she scavenges the city buying in hordes any sponges she can find. From then on, if a man was not sponge worthy, then he was not worth Elaine's troubles.

The blogs chosen at random, may have nothing to do with football..or even sports. If you have a favorite blog, please pass it along to me by leaving the web address under the Comments section found at the end of each entry.

Last week, NFL Cheerleader Blog was up for vote. It was overwhelmingly considered as Sponge Worthy and now finds itself in the SW Hall of Fame. So go check it out. You know you want to!

I did not run across a blog to be voted upon this week. If you have a blog that you think should be up for vote, just send me a note.

March Madness Last Reminder

As stated last week, I have set up an official March Madness NCAA tournament pool. It's totally free and winner receives bragging rights only.

To join my Private Group in this Yahoo! Sports Tournament Pick'em, just go to the game front page and click on the "Sign Up" button to create a team. After completing registration, or if you already have a team, click the "Create or Join Group" button and follow the path to join an existing private group. Then, when prompted, enter the following information...

Group ID#: 12506
Password: purple

This private group is limited to just 50 people. So sign up now!

Links and Tidbits

Car Talk is conducting a interesting poll on their site. Vote for the Ugliest Car for Sale in the U.S. Today.

Note

This will be my last entry until next Tuesday. It is birthday weekend for The Wife® and we're taking some time off as a family to do some celebrating as this is number 40 for her. Saturday night I grill up some imported Scottish Salmon for a small dinner party. I'll probably even mix up some chocolate martini's, Dry Toast (see below), and pour some port.

Sunday it's off to The Boy's® favorite eatery, Space Aliens Bar and Grill in St. Cloud.

Monday, The Wife® and I drop off The Boy® at preschool and then take in a movie or two. (Any suggestions on what we should see!?!?!)

So, see you Tuesday! It's not like anything is going to happen at Winter Park anyway!

The Dry Toast
Ice cubes
3 tablespoons vodka
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Cointreau
1 teaspoon apricot jam

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, lemon juice, Cointreau and apricot jam and shake for at least 1 minute to break up the jam. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

Posted by maasx003 at March 10, 2005 01:00 PM | TrackBack