First, A Public Service Video for Cheeseheads and Kitty Kats

The Boy® started using the word ginormous in his everyday lexicon earlier this year. I've wanted to use it in a blog entry ever since and often thought of using it to depict Pat Williams but I preferred Pat "The Planet" Williams. Well, thanks to a 5-0 winning streak, I at long last have an outlet for using it.

A dominating first half defensive effort combined with an offense that has found its identity is leading to a team that has captured America's attention. Even Terry Bradshaw is now speaking of Mike Tice as a Coach of the Year candidate....and who would have thunk that five weeks ago?

Two things made this game fall just short of an all-out party. Chris Kluwe went down with a ankle injury in the second half. We'll have to monitor the injury report. Secondly, that pansy to the East, Brettsy Favre gave the game away to the Bears who were unable to score an offensive TD against the lowly Packers. So the Vikes remain two full games behind da Bears.

Next week, the Bears will lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As John Wayne used to say, I God damn guarantee it. With a win over the Rams, the Vikes will move just one game behind the Bears. That Xmas night double-header treat looms. If the Packers can beat the Bears and the Vikes keep winning.....look out baby!

Tice Approval Rating

Head Coach Mike Tice held steady with a 68% overall approval rating following the win against the Browns. How does he rate with you this week following the win over the Lions? Vote to the left.

Also, just for kicks, which QB do you start next season if both come into training camp 100% healthy and ready to go? Brad or Daunte? Again, vote to the left.

Daunte Shows!!!!

Speaking of Daunte, I've given him a hard time the last several weeks about being a no-show at games. Given that Pepper is the unquestioned leader of the team, I thought it strange to not have him at games. Was he pouting? In severe pain? What was the deal?

Well, I was alerted by VU reader Gonzo right before game time that:

Greg Coleman just said on KFAN that he saw Daunte and Reggie Fowler walking around on the field prior to the game. They're talking to Daunte right now, in fact (about half an hour before game time).

That made me feel great and all but assured me that the Vikings would win today. Like icing on the proverbial cake. Football is a team sport and even if you are injured, I feel it is vital that those players represent their teammates on the sidelines and provide support and insight.

We were then treated to Daunte sporting a suit and purple tie sitting in a suite. And by the way, who looked more professional: Daunte or Matt Millen?

Thank-you Daunte for making an appearance! It sounded as if your teammates were thrilled to see you. I hope we see you next Sunday when the team plays the Rams.

VU Videocast Four

The latest videocast is up and running. In this videocast, I talk sports Xmas ornaments.

VU Podcast Thirty-One

Also now available is VU Podcast Thirty-One in which I recap the Lions games with non-other than Milwaukee's biggest Vikings fan. And we learn a little about the stat of Packer fans as well from deep inside enemy territory

STrib Hit

As I mentioned this past Friday, I was asked for a quote for part of Michael Rand's Daily Buzz piece that appears in the STrib. Here is the quote as it appeared Sunday:

a quandary

What, oh what, is a Vikings fan to do?

That is the question being lobbed around this week, as the Vikings attempt to catch Chicago in the NFC North race. The Bears, of course, play the out-of-the-picture Packers. Can diehards stifle their feelings toward their border rivals for three hours today and root for Green Bay to knock off the Bears?

To offer guidance, we turned to Brian Maas of Plymouth. Maas writes a blog called "Mr. Cheer or Die's Viking Underground." Plus, in January 1999, he was the first Vikings fan inducted into a fans-only exhibit at the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- part of a wing in which one fan from each team has been inducted in every subsequent year.

Here is his take on the situation:

"We've been in that position before where we needed some help, and in this case we'll be cheering for Brett Favre and the Packers," Maas said. "I have no problems doing that. I actually look at it as a win-win situation. Either they beat the Bears, which absolutely helps us, or the Bears beat the Packers and they're even further down in the dumps in Green Bay."

Posted by maasx003 at December 4, 2005 09:02 AM