We’re pretty sure Aaron Rodgers won’t be disappointed when he doesn’t have to face this situation.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Brian Urlacher retired this week – yes, with the Chicago Bears – and the NFC North may be less another of its aging defensive stars within the year if the Minnesota Vikings don’t find a way to sign defensive end Jared Allen.

Scheduled to make $14.3 million in the final year of his contract, Allen told Dan Wiederer of The Star Tribune recently that he has had no talks with Vikings brass and isn’t interested in talking in public about his “business.”

Just ask Aaron Rodgers about Urlacher – he will tell you he respected the hell out of him, but is smiling behind those words knowing he won’t have to look into his eyes anymore from across the line of scrimmage. We’re sure Rodgers would feel the same of Allen, the defensive end who has caused all sorts of problems over the years for the Green Bay Packers – and the teams in the rest of the league.

So, when Allen said this week that he and the Vikings hadn’t talked, that’s one step in the direction of Allen leaving Minnesota. Would Allen consider restructuring a deal or signing a cap-friendly contract that would keep him in the land of 10,000 Lakes? That remains to be seen, but we’ve also witnessed how defensive players older than 30 have been treated by teams considering their services. Just ask Urlacher. Just ask Charles Woodson. Just ask John Abraham.

Jared Allen likes to talk, but if someone mentions the word “restructure” to him he said he would be the first one out the door.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Here’s what Allen had to say about the future prospects:

“You use the word ‘restructure,’ and that — to me — makes it feel like they’d want me to take a pay cut. And if anybody asked me to take a pay cut, I’d be through the first door out of there. So, no. We haven’t talked one iota. It is what it is.”

“We’re going to go about our business and play good ball and try to win a Super Bowl. And … the business stuff? We take care of that in the offseason. I have people to do that. That’s why I don’t get into it. You’re not going to hear it from me. I won’t complain. I go about my business.”

Sounds to me that Allen is positioning himself for his final professional football contract … one that most likely won’t be signed in Minnesota.

A general view of the Metrodome prior to the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

The Vikings announced recently that the 2013 season will be the team’s last in the noisy indoor Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (aka the Mall of America Stadium along with a number of pseudonyms not printable here). The purple and gold will play their home games during the 2014 and 2015 seasons at outdoor TCF Bank Stadium, the home of the Minnesota Gophers, while a new indoor stadium is built.

Will the Green Bay Packers take it to the bank at TCF Bank Stadium or fall into a Gopher Hole?

Evidence suggests the Packers will gain an extra edge against the Vikings as a result of the Vikings’ temporary relocation.

Minnesota Vikings fan Syd Davy contributes to the noise pollution in the Metrodome when the Vikings played the Packers in Minneapolis. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Noise Pollution
Noise levels at the Metrodome have measured as high as 125 decibels. According to American Hearing Research Foundation, exposure to noise above 85 decibels will cause a gradual hearing loss. The Metrodome holds slightly more than 64,000 fans, while the open-air seating capacity of TCF Bank Stadium is approximately 50,800.

You think 125-decible noise levels impacted Mason Crosby on Nov. 9, 2008, when he missed a 52-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining that would have given the Packers a 30-28 lead?

Did the noise have anything to do with the momentum changing in the Metrodome on Oct. 5, 2009, when Aaron Rodgers was sacked and fumbled the ball at the Viking 33? The Favre-led Vikings went on to score on their next drive in a game Minnesota eventually won 30-23.

“The toughest thing for me is losing my voice, screaming from the first quarter on,” Aaron Rodgers told the Journal Sentinel in 2010. “The toughest stretches are first quarter and drives after a (Vikings) score because the crowd is obviously into it.”

An equally important question is, does the noise matter to the Vikings? Minnesota was 10-2 in domes in 2012-13. However, they were 0-5 in outdoor stadiums.

Less noise at TCF Bank Stadium = Advantage Packers.

Weathering a Storm

Nebraska Cornhuskers fans cheer during the first quarter against the Minnesota Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium, the home venue for the Vikings in 2014 and 2015. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports photograph

When the Vikings move to the Gophers’ outdoor stadium in 2014 and 2015, Minnesota will become the second worst weather city in the NFL, according to the Weather Channel. Green Bay is the fifth worst. Minnesota is not currently on the list because it plays indoors.

So one could reasonably make the case the Packers are more pre-conditioned to play in bad weather, especially in December. You can’t say that about Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings (if he lasts that long).

In December 2012, the Vikings’ only loss was outdoors at Lambeau Field on Dec. 2, when the temperature was a still-cozy 45 degrees. The four Viking December victories occurred inside weather-controlled domes against Chicago in the Metrodome, St. Louis at the Edward Jones Dome, Houston at Reliant Stadium (retractable roof closed), and the Packers at the Metrodome.

The Packers, meanwhile, did not lose an outdoor game in December 2012. As previously mentioned, they beat Minnesota in 45 degree weather at Lambeau; beat the Lions in 33 degree weather at Lambeau; beat the Bears in 45 degree weather at Soldier Field; and beat the Titans in 24 degree weather at Lambeau. As for the playoffs, the Packers beat the Vikings in 24 degree weather at Lambeau.

Worse weather at TCF Bank Stadium in December = Advantage Packers.

Key Player Performances Outdoors
The Vikings and Christian Ponder last year could not figure out how to win a game in an outdoor stadium. As Zach Kruse of Cheeseheadtv.com pointed out in an article in January 2013, Ponder’s QB rating in outdoor stadiums last season was poor, compared to a respectable rating indoors.

Aaron Rodgers’ QB rating is among the best in the league indoors and outdoors, year-in and year-out.

How well does Adrian Peterson do in the elements? There was no drop-off in his performance in outdoor games in 2012 (he rushed for 210 yards at Green Bay in December). But Peterson was not a major factor in outdoor games in 2011 (51 yards and one touchdown at Lambeau; 39 yards rushing, one touchdown at Soldier Field).

Adrian Peterson ran all over the Packers at the Metrodome in 2012. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Adrian himself has this to say about his preference in a recent chat session on ESPN.com.

Fan:
Would you rather have a roof in the new stadium or battle the elements during the winter months?

Adrian Peterson:
Yes, I want a roof. A retractable roof would be great. Yes.

Adrian Peterson not a big fan of playing outdoors and Ponder’s poor record playing outdoors = Advantage Packers.

Stadium Reputation
The Gopher Hole has not provided a great home field advantage in the pros or the college ranks. The Wisconsin Badgers beat the Minnesota Gophers for the Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 2009 and 2011 at TCF Bank Stadium, the only two times the teams played each other at the venue.

The Vikings hosted the Bears at TCF Bank Stadium on Dec. 20, 2010, due to a heavy snow that collapsed the Metrodome roof. It was the Vikings’ first outdoor home game in 29 years. The temperature was 24 degrees, the wind chill 10. Vikings’ Punter Chris Kluwe commented that the field was hard as concrete and players who hit the ground could get concussions.  In fact, ironman Brett Favre, the Vikings’ quarterback that season, was knocked out of the game after his head hit the ground.

The final score:  Bears 40, Vikings 14. OK, it’s only one game, but what a humiliation.

Zero stadium mystique and Vikings .000 winning percentage at TCF Bank Stadium = Advantage Packers.

The History of Temporary Relocations
Remember when the Chicago Bears relocated to the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in 2002 while Soldier Field was renovated? The Bears went from a 13-3 team in 2001 to a 4-12 team in 2002.

The Vikings have more of an adjustment to make than the Packers when the Vikings move to TCF Bank Stadium for 2014 and 2015. This also means it may be noisier in the Metrodome for the Packers in 2013 as Viking fans say goodbye to the stadium in its final hurrah. Expect more hostility than usual at the Metrodome in 2013, then a noticeable drop-off in the home field advantage for the Vikes in 2014 and 2015.

An artist’s rendering of the exterior of the Vikings’ new stadium.

The Minnesota Vikings have moved one step closer to building their new mega stadium with the unveiling of an artist’s renderings tonight. With lots of glass and an open concept that provides an infusion of air and light, the stadium looks, in my opinion, a lot better from the inside than it does from the outside – it’s also a long way from the old Metropolitan Stadium and Metrodome.

Here’s what the Vikings’ new stadium is being compared to … it’s OK to laugh out loud here …

With comparisons from tweeters tonight on Twitter to the huge tractor carriers from Star Wars, the new stadium that is expected to cost in the billion dollar range, will keep the Vikings in Minnesota for the long-term, a move that was backed by the league when so much consternation was being passed about when it was rumored the franchise would leave the land of 10,000 lakes for the shores of the Pacific and Los Angeles.

With those rumors long gone, it’s now certain that the Vikings will be in new digs at a high cost, but for the better of the franchise and for all the other teams in the NFC North. Losing the Vikings as rivals would hurt not only the Packers, Bears and Lions, but the entire league.

So with the Vikings’ contracted lease of the Mall of America Field, aka the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, coming to an end, the team has inked a new deal with the University of Minnesota to utilize its facilities for the next couple of years while the new stadium is built.

So check out the pictures and let us know what you think.

For Vikings fans, it’s pretty exciting. For Packers fans, well, it is something … I wouldn’t say exciting, but it surely will bring about a whole new era.

In all, it’s a rather stunning piece of architecture. Here’s a video …

A healthy dislike of a rival like the Vikings is nothing short of a good thing.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

By Timothy Ellingstad

of Lombardiave.com

The 2010 NFL football season, for a number of reasons, was particularly satisfying for fans of the Green Bay Packers. That season ended with a Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, it was not until very late in the season that it appeared things might go well for the team. The Packers finished a decent, but not extraordinary 10-6. There were multiple injuries that threatened the season. They needed help from other teams just to get into the playoffs. But, as they now say, the Packers got hot at the right time.

Things certainly could have gone differently that year. Teams that needed to lose could have won, knocking the Packers out of the playoffs. Playoff games could have gone differently. Jay Cutler could have stayed healthy in the NFC championship game. Jay Cutler could have played to better than half of his potential prior to getting injured. Any number of things could have changed the course of that season, resulting in some other team’s Super Bowl victory.

Jared Allen has been a thorn in the side for Aaron Rodgers throughout the years.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Had that happened, we would not be looking back at 2010 as one of the most memorable seasons in recent Packers history. Instead, perhaps we would look back at 2010 as one of the worst seasons for our (at the time) key rival. It is worth it to take a moment to relive some of the misfortunes of the Minnesota Vikings during that year.

This, of course, came just one year after the Vikings signed former Packer great Brett Favre, resulting in two Packer defeats and the collective bundling of all of Wisconsin’s panties. The strategy to sign Favre, which worked out quite well for the Vikings that first year, turned out to be a major setback in the development of their quarterback position. It was clear before long that the 2010 Vikings were not in the same class as the 2009 Vikings (and the 2010 Favre was not in the same class as the 2009 Favre). Despite the original angst caused by the Favre move, the failure of one of the Packer’s main rivals to develop their key offensive position proved quite significant in the years following, and likely made the whole Favre debacle worthwhile.

The team finished 6-10, and last place in the division. They continued to struggle in 2011. They made the playoffs in 2012 but continue to struggle at the quarterback position, where there is still uncertainty.

Speaking of debacles, prior to the week five game, the Vikings traded a third round draft pick to the Patriots for a disgruntled and head-case Randy Moss in a highly publicized return to Minnesota. Moss was waived after one month due to being unproductive and a toxic presence. More than anything this highlighted the coaching staff’s loss of control over the players, ultimately resulting in the firing of head coach Brad Childress in late November following a loss to Green Bay.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Webb brought a new twist to the Packers Vikings rivalry last season. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

During this time the state of Minnesota was negative about approving a plan for a much-needed new stadium. There were more and more rumblings about a team moving to Los Angeles, with the Vikings as one of the primary possibilities given the uncertainty of their stadium issue. This was only compounded when the roof of the Metrodome dramatically collapsed under the weight of a heavy snow fall, resulting in the unusual circumstance of the upcoming home game being delayed, and a forced venue change from Minnesota to Detroit.

The following home game was played at the University of Minnesota on a field that was ill suited to the cold weather of late December, contributing to the concussion that ended Brett Favre’s streak of consecutive games started (and his career). The loss of Favre ended up magnifying how ill-prepared the Vikings were at the quarterback position and made it clear that they would be desperately starting over from a quarterback development standpoint.

Finally, consider how nightmarish it would be for Packers fans to watch the Chicago Bears play the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game, which would inevitably result in one hated team or the other making it to the Super Bowl. To have the scenario of Green Bay versus Chicago in the NFC championship game on the heels of one of the Minnesota franchise’s most cruelly inept and randomly unfortunate seasons is beyond the proverbial salt in the wound. It must have turned people of faith into Nihilists, and Nihilists into believers of Satan (but not necessarily God). One may ask if this characterization is overly dramatic. The answer: No.

It can be argued that the Green Bay’s run to the Super Bowl, along with Chicago’s near miss, helped to detract attention from Minnesota’s disastrous season (though Minnesota probably noticed). Why call attention to it now? Is it to laugh at those less fortunate? Sort of. There was a point when it seemed imminent that the Vikings would be moving to Los Angeles. My first reaction was to revel in Minnesota’s misfortune (this does not speak well of me, but the animosity about the Favre thing was still fresh). But it soon occurred to me that I would no longer hate the Vikings if they moved. For one, the name would probably be changed to something more California, like the ‘Avocados.’ And they probably wouldn’t tolerate that dreadful purple in LA, unlike the hardy folk of the upper Midwest. The Vikings would become unrecognizable, and no longer an enemy. I would miss the Vikings if they left. Like defense contractors missed the Soviets after the collapse of the Iron Curtain.

I love hating the Vikings (and the Bears, and kind of the Lions). The hate is the reason I love football. So, let’s all hope the Vikings don’t have another run like 2010. But let us not mistake that for pity. I do want them to suffer. I just don’t want them to die.

Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) looks on during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman told us in February that the team had “no intention to trade” Percy Harvin. Apparently that didn’t mean they weren’t going to shop the star receiver. Word of a potential Percy Harvin trade leaked early Monday morning. Less than an hour later, Harvin was a Seattle Seahawk. Such is the reality of the NFL.

Sep 23, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) catches a pass over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers (22) in the first quarter at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

In exchange for Harvin, the Seahawks surrendered this year’s first round selection (number 25 overall), a seventh round pick, and a mid-round pick in next year’s draft. [Update: the Vikings have announced that the 2014 pick is a third rounder.]

That’s a reasonable package for Harvin considering he’s available for more than the nine games he played last year. Harvin’s injury risk is the only downside of the deal for Seattle, and it’s a doozy. Besides being a somewhat undersized pass catcher, Harvin has off and on trouble with migraines that can keep him off the field on Sundays.

That issue didn’t arise last year, but as anyone with migraines knows, even after a prolonged absence migraines can still come back with a vengeance. However, if Harvin stays off the injury report, Seattle can make a strong argument for having the best roster on paper.

As for Minnesota, the trade gives them near consecutive picks at the end of the first round and the capability of big time wheeling and dealing on draft day.

The Vikings are also now in position to make a play for free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace or former Packer Greg Jennings. The trade also says a lot about Rick Spielman’s approach. While Minnesota was a playoff team in 2012, the Vikings were still several steps away from true championship contention. By trading Harvin, Spielman is letting his team take a temporary step back so that they can take a much bigger jump the following season. This was a shrewd move that will put Minnesota in the best position to wrest the division crown away from the Packers in the near future.

This is the first major action in what contends to be a very chaotic offseason.

Keep your eyes on Lombardi Ave for more developments.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to quarterback play, especially in the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers are fortunate. Not only have the Packers transitioned from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another, but they also possess the top passer in a division stocked with talented arms. The NFC North is one of only two divisions where every starting quarterback has led their team to the playoffs.

In the modern NFL where passing and the ability to defend the pass are the strongest indicators of wins and losses, it’s important for Green Bay to keep tabs on the quarterbacks it sees most often.

With that in mind, we here at lombardiave.com kick off this three-part series by profiling the resume and projecting the future for one of the NFC North’s other quarterbacks.

So without further adieu, the first NFC North quarterback under the microscope is…

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Christian Ponder

Team: Minnesota Vikings

Age: 25

Experience: 27 games, 26 starts

Resume: Having just turned 25, Christian Ponder is the youngest and least experienced starting quarterback in the NFC North. However, Ponder started at Florida State University for three seasons, which may give us a clearer idea of the type of player he is. What’s immediately apparent when examining Ponder’s college career is just how conservative he plays. Not once in his three years starting at Florida State did Ponder throw more interceptions than touchdowns. Also, with 2009 being the lone exception, Ponder never averaged more than 6.8 yards per attempt.

Ponder’s professional career has largely reflected this. In two years in Minnesota, Ponder has averaged 6.2 yards per pass attempt. That figure falls about one yard per pass behind Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler, and nearly two yards behind division leader Aaron Rodgers. More troubling for Ponder is the scarcity of scoring. Ponder’s throws only end in a touchdown 4 percent of the time, a division worst. Over that same period, Rodgers’ passes produced touchdowns at an 8 percent clip. While each quarterback is at wildly different stages of the development process, they’re competing for the same goals in the same division at the same time, thus necessitating the comparison. Needless to say, Ponder has a lot of ground to cover.

Projection: After analyzing Ponder’s conservative Florida State career as well as his first two campaigns in Minnesota, one has to wonder: Will Ponder ever become more of a risk taker, and does he need to for the Vikings to contend for a championship? It seems pretty safe to say that the answer to the first question is doubtful. While he will surely cut down on mistakes and take advantage of defensive errors more often as he matures, Ponder has never at any point displayed the temperament necessary to become a truly elite passer. Even if the Vikings improve at the wide receiver position, Ponder will still default to the short game more often than not. Big passing plays will have to come after the catch, which means the Vikings would be well advised to meet Percy Harvin’s contract demands.

Dec 2, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (79) tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) during the game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-14. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The answer to the second part of the question is more difficult. Minnesota has constructed its offense around Adrian Peterson and the running game. While Peterson performs at his current historic levels, it’s not necessary for Ponder to become an air raid quarterback. He does need to increase his touchdown efficiency, but probably not by all that much.

Where the Vikings will run into trouble is when Peterson’s production falls off. Only two years away from 30, and with 1,754 carries and a torn ACL already endured, Peterson won’t be the NFL’s pre-eminent running back for that much longer.

When the time comes, Ponder doesn’t project to cover enough of the difference to keep Minnesota’s offense at a Super Bowl contending level. For that forecast to change, Ponder has to make vast improvements this season. Few quarterbacks dramatically change their production after their third year starting.

If it doesn’t happen this year for Ponder, it’s pretty safe to write him off as anything more than a caretaker.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

This drawing shows a rendition of what the new Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis might look like.

Published reports are saying the Minnesota Vikings have announced a deal with the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis that will keep the Vikings downtown at a new billion dollar facility. Though the deal needs legislative approval, this is a huge step in keeping the Vikings in Minnesota and more importantly in the NFC North Division.

The NFL certainly didn’t want the Vikings to move as had been rumored for so long … now it looks like the Vikings will be a part of the NFC’s most storied division for many years to come.

The Vikings will pay $427 million toward the cost of the new stadium, while the state will contribute $398 million and the City of Minneapolis will kick in $150 million with additional costs to be shared by the Vikings and the city.

The new domed stadium won’t be complete at least for a couple of years, probably even as many as three years. However, when the facility is completed, it will feature a retractable roof that will essentially bring outdoors football back to Minnesota – that’s a good thing.

The new facility will also place Minneapolis on the short list of venues for the Super Bowl. If Jerry Jones can get the Super Bowl at his billion dollar facility, the Vikings will surely have the inside track for one of the big dances in upcoming years.

Our hope is that Vikings fans embrace the new stadium and fill it. That seems to have been a problem in recent years, but part of that problem is the fact that the Vikings haven’t put a team on the field that’s been worth watching. So, in consort with building a new stadium, the Vikings must also start constructing a team that’s going to vie for playoff contention and a Super Bowl. That means that the current leaders on the field and in the front office need to get busy today, if not yesterday, with a plan of action that’s going to make the team competitive. The Vikings have been there before … they will get there again.

In a nutshell, this is also good news for the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. For decades, these teams with the Vikings have made up the Central Division and now the NFC North Division. None of those teams and certainly not the NFL would like to see that go away. Now with the Vikings agreement to stay, team officials in the North Division should be rejoicing.

Good news in Minnesota ironically means good news in Green Bay, Detroit and Chicago.

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Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings have sunk to levels not seen from the franchise in some time.

The last time the Green Bay Packers played the Minnesota Vikings I found myself feeling a little sorry for the Vikings players and fans. While watching the game I came to the realization that the Vikings are made up of Jared Allen and 21 other players who would struggle to be back-ups on the Packers.

Okay, maybe Adrian Peterson could start for the Packers, too.

A couple of days later I ran into a fellow parent at elementary school parent-teacher night. He was wearing a Vikings jacket and I was wearing a Packers coat. I called out in a friendly fashion, “Hey, Vikings fan!” expecting that when he turned around we could engage in typical your-team-sucks banter.

Instead he turned, saw the green and gold, and hung his head.

I felt bad.

I walked up to the Vikings fan, put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Maybe Christian Ponder will turn into a great quarterback.” He seemed a little encouraged, but it left me wondering what has happened to the once proud Vikings? Are the years of mediocrity and near misses finally starting to take their toll? Are the Vikings really going to move to a new city because of stadium issues?

I, for one, hope not. I love the Packers-Vikings rivalry almost as much as the Packers-Bears rivalry.

Oddly, during last Sunday’s blowout win against the Raiders I had no feelings of sadness for the Raiders players or fans. I gleefully cheered when the Packers went ahead 31 to nothing before the half. 31-0!

Bahhahaha!

Carson Palmer?

Hahaha.

Another Raiders penalty?

Ha! Go Pack Go!

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This has got to be one of the greatest commercials I’ve ever seen.

The Vikings are not only teetering for survival on the field but on the social, political and economic landscape as well.

Things are getting bad to the west and as a football fan I’m torn. On the one hand, tearing the Vikings out of Minnesota and transplanting them 2,000 miles away in L.A. would be devastating for the Packers/Vikings rivalry. On the other hand, this is a franchise without a home and not enough fan support, political nerve and money to keep them in place.

It’s all so sad. This commercial Pretty much says it all.

Vikings fans, watch it and weep.
Packers fans, watch it and count your blessings.

As if the Vikings needed this news headed into tomorrow. Score this one Packers 1 Vikings 0.

For Zinski’s full story, see the links below – and don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

http://thevikingage.com/2011/10/22/chris-cook-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charges/

Clipped from: thevikingage.com (share this clip)