JAaron Rodgers was in the news this week … for good things. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Another week has gone by placing us another week closer to the start of the NFL season.  A lot has happened in Green Bay Packers land this week and even across the border in the land of ten thousand puddles.

First a belated birthday shout out to Clay Matthews (and his hair).  Nothing like celebrating a birthday with a new contract and a revamped defense.  Now maybe he will finish off the year with a nice shiny trophy and maybe even a Defensive Player of the Year award.

Moving on, Aaron Rodgers teamed up with Bart Starr for An Evening with Aaron Rodgers for the MACC Fund.  All reports indicate that the night was a success.  I think the best quote I read from the night was how Rodgers looks up to Starr.  You have to love it when the past and the present mesh so well.  Maybe someday we will be able to have all three of our Super Bowl winning quarterbacks together at the same time.

Speaking of Brett Favre, Mark Murphy again mentioned how it would be nice to have him back in the fold.  Personally, I am still on the fence with the whole Favre thing.  He did a lot for this team but his attitude and behavior at the end tarnished so much.  Guess I still need more therapy to work through those issues.

The new batch of rookies had their orientation and a lot has been written about big toes and projecting who will do what.  Two simple thoughts – first, the big toe held up fine last year so why worry unless it falls off; secondly, you have to love the attitude and demeanor of Datone Jones.  I love how he is setting his goals to be on the level of Reggie White.  If those dreams pan out, that would be a formidable defense with Matthews and Jones.

The Packers shareholders meeting was also announced for July 24.  As an owner, I went for the first time last year and have my schedule set to return again this year.  So there will be a full report coming on the heels of that trip.  Hopefully the new concession stand registers are working and I don’t get a bill for $999,969.78 for popcorn and soda like last year. If you are a shareholder and have never gone, I highly recommend it.

The last thing I wanted to touch on was a little note to our friends to the West.  It has been some time since I have commented about their happening only because I wanted to give their fans some aditional time to learn some new words for insulting me when I point out the obvious.  Hopefully, they have moved on from the common vernacular of name calling and come up with something a little more intelligent.

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

As our own editor Ray Rivard pointed out, the Queens have finally put together their plans for a new stadium to replace the inflatible garbage bag known as the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (sorry I am old school).  Being smarter than the Twins organization, they understood the importance of having a roof over their heads.  The sad thing is that they stole the plans from a Jawa Sandcrawler (Star Wars Episode IV reference).  Ironically, just like a Sandcrawler, it is going to be filled with bits and pieces of scrap and throwaways and in the end the Queens are hoping they can assemble something that would resemble a team and not blow a modulator or ACL.

Interestingly enough along those same lines, rumours are swirling around the league that the purple tutus are looking at former Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher.  It just supports my theory that they like taking scrap from other teams.  Plus it just goes to show that they have no concept of how to draft and develop.  Someday they may learn that history will repeat itself and like the Vikings of old, plundering will get you nothing more than a footnote in history.  Oh, wait! They have that footnote, something about never winning a Super Bowl.

I also enjoyed the news that after this season, the Queens will be playing two years at TCF Stadium,

TCF Stadium will be the home of the Vikings in 2014 and 2015.

home of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (full disclosure, I graduated from the UofM, I support my college teams no matter how badly we get pummled each and every season).  I find it interesting that they did not try to work out a long term deal to play all their games there. With Christian Ponder at quarterback and the general makeup of the team being equal to junior college players, the Queens are finally playing in a stadium fit for their level of play.  I would even give the Gophers a slight edge in a one-on-one matchup against the Vikings.

So guys, install the underground heating coils so you can take another step toward trying to be like Lambeau Field and good luck playing in the dead of winter at TCF stadium. Maybe, just maybe that Vikings heritage you try to foster will keep you warm as you shiver and shake your way to trying to be relevant.

Let the Viking fans begin the insults and hey, see if you can step it up a notch and try to add some class this time around. You disappointed me last time with the regular name calling.  Try to do better for the sake of your team!

GO PACK GO!

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 …

Dec 23, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; What defines a true Packer Fan? Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Having recently attended the draft party at Lambeau Field, it made me wonder just what exactly defines a Green Bay Packers fan. It’s difficult to pinpoint one particular attribute yet it seems as if all my time observing fans of other teams, there’s just something truly unique about Packers Nation.

I recently moved to Green Bay from Minnesota so I’ve seen the very best (and worst) of what Vikings Nation had to offer. One thing I should make clear is while I am the furthest thing from a Vikings fan you’ll find, this is no knock on them (or any other team for that matter).

Anyway, since the Favre drama (and I’ll leave it at that) Vikings fans have always seemed to have hope. I will give them credit for being as resilient as they have been, (especially with Christian Ponder) yet for the most part I’ve observed fair-weather fans. A number of fans even admitted this as well. This is a HUGE difference from the Green and Gold as Lord knows we’ve endured our tough seasons. But regardless, we’ve stuck with the team through thick and thin.

Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) greets a fan while riding a children’s bike at training camp.

Having served in the military, I was stationed in San Diego and let me tell you Chargers Nation is truly unique indeed. It’s a different type of fan altogether in Southern California as the Chargers have a tough time selling out home games resulting in numerous blackouts. Having attended a Packers/Chargers game in San Diego a few years back, I really got the impression that the outcome of the game really didn’t matter to Chargers fans as the game itself almost seemed like more of a social event than anything. If I know Packers fans as well as I hope I do, the week after a loss, we’re searching for whatever else might be on TV aside from ESPN.

We always hear the term “die-hard fan.” But what exactly IS a die-hard fan? Never have I seen more fans live or die by the outcome on Sunday. I believe football has a direct impact on many of the lives of Packers fans around the world. There always seems to be a discussion on the number of fans a given team has as well.

I could certainly dive into the whole “America’s Team” discussion here, but we’ll spare Jerry-land for now. The one fan base I can draw the most similarities with would probably be Steelers Nation. Blue-collared, hard working fans that expect the same type of effort on the field, Steelers fans are very similar to that of our people. All championships aside, Steelers fans are every bit as loyal to their team as Packers fans are.

So have your say, Lombardiave faithful … what exactly defines a true Packers fan?

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the NFL shield logo and main stage before the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

We have always liked Ted Thompson’s comments about the NFL Draft and his baseball analogythat it’s not always

The Green Bay Packers war room. Ted Thompson sits at the head of the table (left).

possible to hit home runs when you come to bat – that’s it’s a matter of working the averages and scoring when you can.

For all four teams in the NFC North, there were some hits and misses, as you can see and read below in the individual team grades provided below by walterfootball.com.

Who did better? Who did worse? Again, you could pull together the specific numbers, but at this point in April that’s a bit foolish – we all know championships aren’t won in the offseason – they are won when players hit the field, coaches do their magic and things like schedule and injuries start to work their mystical effects on just how the NFL season transpires.

What we can see clearly below is that each of these teams took a different path in this draft – with many of the moves based on total numbers of picks, where they were situated and the players available to them at the time of each team’s selections.

There were some surprises (Kyle Long to the Bears; Nate Palmer to the Packers; and Jeff Locke to the Vikings), but there were some home runs, too (Sharrif Floyd to the Vikings; Eddie Lacy to the Packers; Cornellius Washington to the Bears; and Larry Warford to the Lions).

Minnesota Vikings 1st round draft pick Sharrif Floyd
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

How this particular draft gets judged will be debated for the next several months as the “experts” tear apart the numbers, the names and the statistics. But one thing is for certain – as each of these teams spend the next week or so signing undrafted free agents to complete their rosters heading into the training portion of the NFL season, all of them have improved their status with fresh, enthusiastic and young talent that will change the landscape once again across the NFL.

For all of the NFC North selections, see below. And don’t forget to click on over to walterfootball.com for more information than one can absorb in a lifetime … it’s an incredible football site.

 Chicago Bears (Last Year: 10-6) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

Kyle Long speaks during a Chicago Bears press conference.
Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

20. Kyle Long, G, Oregon: D Grade 
Well… at least this fills… a need… Umm… I’m kind of speechless right now. With Tyler Eifert and stud defenders like Desmond Trufant and Sylvester Williams available, the Bears decided to take an inexperienced second-round guard. Long may have been around for Chicago’s next selection, so this pick is extremely questionable.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

50. Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida: B Grade 
The Bears hope they’ve landed their successor for Brian Urlacher. Middle linebacker was a big need, and Jon Bostic is definitely worthy of being chosen 50th overall. I would have gone with Arthur Brown, but there must be major medical concerns with him because he has first-round talent.

117. Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers: A Grade 
Khaseem Greene was viewed as a second-round talent by many, but it’s not too surprising to see him fall a bit because he doesn’t fit many defenses. The Bears don’t mind though, as they fill a need with a good value selection. s

163. Jordan Mills, OT, Louisiana Tech: B Grade 
So, I guess the Bears wanted to focus on the offensive line and linebacker groups in the draft. Jordan Mills is a right tackle who should be able to challenge J’Marcus Webb. He fits the range, so this is a solid pick.

188. Cornelius Washington, DE, Georgia: A+ Grade 
I don’t understand why Cornelius Washington fell to the middle of the sixth round. Washington is a Day 2 talent. He is raw, but that’s fine because the Bears won’t really need him until Julius Peppers moves on.

236. Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State: A- Grade 
Why not? Marquess Wilson was once considered a second-round prospect, but he quit on his team because he didn’t get along with head coach Mike Leach. It has to be considered that Leach is a bad guy, so Chicago is right to take a shot on Wilson.

 Detroit Lions (Last Year: 4-12) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

5.

Detroit Lions first round draft pick Ezekiel Ansah.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

, DE, BYU: B+ Grade 
Finally, a good pick! I’m tired of bashing these teams. Well, OK, maybe not. But this selection makes so much sense. The Lions had a close look at Ezekiel Ansah at the Senior Bowl where he dominated the competition during the actual game. He’s a great fit in Detroit’s wide-nine formation, and will replace the departed Cliff Avril. He’ll be instrumental in Detroit’s pursuit of Green Bay in the NFC North.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

36. Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State: B- Grade 
Darius Slay was projected to go in the first half of the second round, so the range of this pick makes sense. Cornerback was also a need, though not as great of a need as people think. Having said that, what Detroit plans on doing at left tackle is beyond me. Matthew Stafford probably won’t make it through the 2013 season.

65. Larry Warford, G, Kentucky: A Grade 
This is an awesome pick. Larry Warford should have been chosen near the top of the second round. He is monstrous mauler who figures to be a huge upgrade on the interior of Detroit’s offensive line.

132. Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina: B Grade 
The Lions had to find two defensive ends in this draft because they lost both Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch. Devin Taylor is a good fit in the wide-nine formation, and this is the right range for him.

165. Sam Martin, P, Appalachian State: C- Grade 
Unlike the Vikings, Detroit actually needed a punter. But this is still a bad pick. Again, it’s like selecting a kicker in the 10th or 11th round of a fantasy league. It’s lazy. Solid punters can be found as undrafted free agents.

171. Corey Fuller, WR, Virginia Tech: B- Grade 
I’m surprised the Lions waited this long for a receiver. I feel like there were better options than Corey Fuller, but this is still a fine pick. It’s just disappointing that Detroit couldn’t secure a solid No. 2 option across from Calvin Johnson.

199. Theo Riddick, RB, Notre Dame: B Grade 
Reggie Bush isn’t exactly the most reliable player in the league, so it’s good that the Lions added some depth at running back. At the very worst, Riddick will add some punch in the return game.

211. Michael Williams, TE, Alabama: A- Grade 
This is a solid pick. I thought Michael Williams would go earlier than this. Detroit got a good look at him at the Senior Bowl. The team needed some tight end depth.

245. Brandon Perburn, ILB, Florida A&M: B Grade 
The Lions needed linebacker help, so this makes sense in terms of both need and draft range.

 
 Green Bay Packers (Last Year: 11-5) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

UCLA Bruins defensive end Datone Jones was the Packers first round selection.
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

26. Datone Jones, DE/DT, UCLA: A- Grade 
Datone Jones has been discussed as high as No. 19 to the Giants, so the Packers are getting good value with Datone Jones. They’re also getting a tremendous upgrade on the defensive line. Green Bay was completely obliterated by Colin Kaepernick, so the team needed to find players to help them stop the read option. Jones is a great fit, as Ted Thompson continues to be one of the better drafters in the NFL.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

61. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: A+ Grade 
Ted Thompson makes this looks so easy. Not only did he sit and wait for the top running back in the 2013 NFL Draft; he also moved down and still managed to maintain him. Eddie Lacy would have been a first-round pick if it weren’t for an injury that he’ll quickly recover from. He’ll be a tremendous upgrade in the backfield.

109. David Bakhtiari, OT/G, Colorado: A Grade 
Ted Thompson loves versatile linemen, and David Bakhtiari definitely fits the bill. He can play both tackle and guard positions, so he’ll definitely help somewhere on an offensive line that needed to be upgraded. Baktiari was an early third-round projection, so the value is good.

122. J.C. Tretter, G/OT, Cornell: B- Grade 
Another versatile offensive lineman, though J.C. Tretter is more of a guard whereas David Bakhtiari should be at tackle. I’m not as crazy about this pick because I feel like Tretter could have been taken a round later.

125. Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA: A+ Grade 
Wow, what a steal! Johnathan Franklin was viewed as the top running back in this class by some, so it’s inexplicable that he fell all the way to the bottom of Round 4. Projected as a player similar to Warrick Dunn, Franklin will form a tremendous one-two punch with Eddie Lacy out of the backfield.

159. Micah Hyde, CB/S, Iowa: B Grade 
Micah Hyde played cornerback at Iowa, but he may have to move to safety in the NFL because of speed concerns. Ted Thompson could be fine with that. He likes versatile players and needed help at the safety position. I thought Hyde would go in the middle of the fifth round, so this is the right range for him.

167. Josh Boyd, DE/DT, Mississippi State: B Grade 
It’s no surprise that the Packers spent two selections on the defensive line because they have some expiring contracts coming up soon. Josh Boyd is a solid selection who fits the range as a fifth-round prospect.

193. Nate Palmer, DE/OLB, Illinois State: C Grade 
Nate Palmer wasn’t a draftable prospect, but that’s not a big deal at the end of the sixth round. What’s more surprising is that the Packers waited this long to take a pass-rusher.

216. Charles Johnson, WR, Grand Valley State: B Grade 
Wide receiver is another position I thought the Packers would address earlier. Charles Johnson is a seventh-round prospect, so he makes sense at this spot. He might be able to make the team.

224. Kevin Dorsey, WR, Maryland: C Grade 
This is a much more questionable receiver pick. It’s the seventh round, but I don’t think many would have considered Kevin Dorsey in the old 12-round format.

232. Sam Barrington, LB, South Florida: B Grade 
Considered a seventh-round prospect, Sam Barrington should be able to contribute on special teams and provide solid depth.

 
 Minnesota Vikings (Last Year: 10-6) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

Minnesota Vikings 1st round draft picks Sharrif Floyd (76) and Cordarrelle Patterson (84) and Xavier Rhodes (29) sign autographs and pose for pictures with fan Shane Swanson at the 2013 1st round draft picks press conference at Winter Park.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

23. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida: A+ Grade 
Wow, I forgot Sharrif Floyd was available. I feel like some of the other teams like the Bears, Giants and Cowboys did as well. This is the best pick in the 2013 NFL Draft thus far. Floyd is a stud interior pass-rusher who could have easily gone No. 3 to the Raiders. But as we see every year, great prospects fall because dumb teams are picking at the top of the draft.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

25. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State: B Grade 
Xavier Rhodes was mocked as early as No. 12 throughout this process, so he definitely provides good value at No. 25. However, the Vikings run the type of defense that allows teams to pass on corners in the first round. Minnesota probably should have filled other needs like receiver. That said, this is still a solid selection because Rhodes could be considered the best player available.

29. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: B- Grade 
The 29th and 52nd choices are swapped between Minnesota and New England, so the Vikings are essentially giving up third- and fourth-rounders for this choice. They better make it count, so why not go for the home run with Cordarrelle Patterson? Minnesota desperately needed receiving help after losing Percy Harvin. Patterson is raw – which is why he dropped to No. 29 – but he has so much potential. The problem is that the Vikings don’t have a quarterback to get him the football.

120. Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State: B Grade 
The Vikings haven’t picked in nearly 100 selections, but they continue to draft well. Gerald Hodges fits the range and definitely fills a need, as Minnesota’s linebacking corps needs major retooling.

155. Jeff Locke, P, UCLA: D Grade 
I’m not a fan of drafting a punter in the first five rounds, especially when a punter isn’t needed. Maybe the Vikings have grown tired of Chris Kluwe’s Twitter antics, but it’s still not a reason to take a punter at this point. It’s like drafting a kicker in the 11th round of your fantasy league.

196. Jeff Baca, G, UCLA: B Grade 
Pegged as a sixth-round prospect, Jeff Baca should compete for a starting guard job eventually. The position is very weak for Minnesota, so Baca could be an upgrade.

213. Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State: A Grade 
Maybe I’m biased as a Penn State alumnus, but I love Michael Mauti. He’s an instinctive linebacker with tremendous leadership ability; he kept the team together in the wake of the sex scandal. He would have been a second-day pick had he not torn his ACL. It wouldn’t surprise me if Mauti eventually emerged as the starter.

214. Travis Bond, G, North Carolina: B Grade 
Another guard? Well, Minnesota needed two of them. Travis Bond makes sense in the seventh round.

229. Everett Dawkins, DT, Florida State: A Grade 
Kevin Williams will likely be gone next year, so another defensive tackle makes sense. Everett Dawkins was considered a mid-round prospect, so he’s a bit of a steal here.

D.J. Smith was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Appalachian State University. At just 5’11″ 239 pounds, Smith was highly overlooked in the draft, which allowed the Packers to get great value in him late in the draft.

In 2011 Smith appeared in all 16 games and even started three times. He totaled 32 tackles and picked off Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford on Thanksgiving day.

In 2012 Smith tore his ACL in the sixth game of the season against the Houston Texans. He started all six games he played in, in 2012 — he totaled 29 tackles and deflected 4 passes.

Many considered Smith the replacement for inside linebacker A.J. Hawk, who has struggled the last few seasons for the Packers.

However, in 2012 Hawk played very well for the majority of the year, especially after Smith went down. The Packers obviously trust Hawk enough to release Smith.

Smith’s agent said that the Packers told them they needed to “create some space for things that are coming.” He also stated that the Packers may be interested in brining Smith back at a later date.

his agent said that “a number of teams have already expressed interest in Smith.”

A possible destination for Smith would be Packers’ in-division rival the Minnesota Vikings, much to chagrin of Packer fans. The Vikings are in desperate need of linebacker help and they obviously know Smith pretty well.

The Packers also released running back Brandon Saine.

With the releasing of both Saine and Smith the Packers save about $1 million in cap space for 2013.

Green Bay Packers versus the San Francisco 49ers will be one of the biggest games for the Packers in 2013. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

While the NFL 2013 regular season schedule won’t be announced until this evening, the top 13 games (why 13? I’m not sure – I guess because it’s 2013) were posted over at NFL.com yesterday – and included two of the Green Bay Packers matchups – two strangely against AFC North opponents.

At number 13 is the Packers matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Ohio and number 10 has the Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field.

Ok, so these are great games and should mightily test the Packers – as well as the Bengals and Steelers – but where are the matchups with the Minnesota Vikings, the team they met in the first round of the Playoffs last year – games that will feature Greg Jennings playing against his former teammates?

What about home games against the Atlanta Falcons? Or having to go up against both Super Bowl teams from last season, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens – on the road?!? Now, those are two games the Packers Nation will have circled on their calendars.

And NFL.com’s #1 rated matchup for next season? The Indianapolis Colts hosting the Denver Broncos … zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Big deal. That doesn’t have any of the magic and intensity of say the Packers vs. Favre.

Anyway, you judge for yourself. Take a swing over to the site and scroll through their slide show.

You tell me … leave a comment below, Like us on Facebook and leave a comment or follow us on Twitter.

Let’s get the discussion going …

Greg Jennings left Green Bay for Minnesota. But for what reasons? We’ll never know.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

By P.J. Root

of Lombardiave.com

Pillaging and plundering from shore to shore, taking without thought or purpose – the Minnesota Vikings – barbarians of a different code, take without remorse or accountability for what damage they reap. These attributes connect the Vikings of Norse legend to the business acumen of their Minnesota counterparts.

A flood of Green Bay Packers in recent memory have made their migration near the end of their careers to this aforementioned next door neighbor. Either by financial, personal or a combination of reasons, The Vikings have been a warm location to a cold enemy too frequently.

Why is that?

The story reaches into the psyche of the athlete and the lack of creativity from the Vikings front office.

The collapse of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome roof was a statement in itself.

Eden Prairie, Minn., has been the home of the wolf, of more aptly, Viking’s owner Zygi Wilf. In his practices associated in handling the franchise have created disdain far-reaching across the game.

The implosion of the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome in 2010 was not only an allegory to their final season burrowing a Packer legend, but an accumulation of questionable practices.

Sending private planes to Mississippi initiated a long list of problems. By providing a team with wants before needs, the management has retarded the progress needed to sustain future wins.

Percy Harvin is the prime example of this culture.

By bringing Favre to the Vikings in Harvin’s rookie season, the team shaped their playmaker into a problem child. In experiencing a QB with Hall of Fame ability, Harvin became entitled to a way of being treated.

Getting the ball early and often.

Zygi Wilf.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Yes, the migraines have been a problem, but combine a nagging health scare that could ultimately cut his career short and then reverting to a quarterback like Christian Ponder can warp an anxious mind.

According to Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports, two unnamed sources confirmed that the inner squabbles surrounding Harvin’s departure stemmed from his disapproval of Ponder.

The dissolving of the rank of coach and player had been tarnished, and unlike the minor revolution by Baltimore’s core players against their own coach, the Vikings did not have a stable foundation to rein in their players when it was most necessary.

Brad Childress (left) was on the bus to nowhere in Minnesota before being thrown under it.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Why should they think they could?

Randy Moss’s stint in 2010 and subsequent removal gave an immense look into the hierarchy of the Vikings brass. Brad Childress, sensing that Wilf’s culture was poisoning his team, cut Moss because of diva comments directed toward the catering staff.

Wilf, in response, threw his coach under the bus and ultimately fired Childress. The lingering stench of disarray has hung over the organization since.

Yes, the Vikings deserve credit for earning a playoff spot, but a team, which displayed such mediocrity in depth, especially in the QB department, deserves scrutiny.

With Ponder gone from injury in the game, the Vikings exposed themselves and their draft strategy in the form of Joe Webb and his inability to run the offense.

Peterson’s heroics can only do so much in a league dominated by the pass.

Greg Jennings is the next ex-Packer to arrive, and mortgage the Vikings future for the last ounce of greatness of an aging productive rival.

Rather than building from within like the Packers, the Vikings have incessantly sniped playmakers like safety Darren Sharper, to fill in their glaring blanks.

Examples of New York Yankee spending have been seen and crushed, with the Philadelphia Eagles continuing to mend their wings from the “Dream Team” saga that engulfed their franchise.

Vikings management continues the same routine, even as their own failures still linger in the minds of the Minnesota faithful.

Greg Jennings was a fan favorite in Green Bay.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Why do these players leave?

For Jennings the success acquired in Green Bay has solidified himself in Lambeau lore, yet the underlying circumstances have left many questions to the selection of location.

Was it from the comments of former Packer-turned-Viking kicker Ryan Longwell?

“Every town in America has an Applebee’s restaurant. In Green Bay, Applebee’s was about as fancy as you got.” Longwell began. “In Minnesota, I’m sure there will be plenty of options before Applebee’s comes into the rotation.”

OK, Green Bay is not the epicenter of the world, yet how many places are? Is not the offseason a time to unwind and travel? Milwaukee and Madison are only a hop away, and Chicago is just around the bend.

The origin in Jennings’ case was thought to be the relationship with Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers has been documented for being incredibly sensitive to criticism concerning his ability and personality.  Just watch at his recent “60 Minutes” interview and that comes to light.

“He’s sensitive. So you got to be careful what you say around him.” Jennings began. “He takes everything to heart,”

Now the comment itself was an observation by Jennings without judgment, but to display it for millions could make for an uncomfortable work environment.

Compound those comments with those made by Jennings’ sister on her Twitter account and the tension could be downright awkward.

Greg Jennings does the Lambeau Leap.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“ARod is the most overrated QB in the league! He is nowhere near Peyton or Brady! It sickens me, Peyton would avg. 5 TD with this squad!!!”

and…

“My God Aaron Rodgers holds the ball forever! GJ was wide open 5x for that touchdown! Goodness he acts like he doesn’t want to throw to him”

and then…..

“@GregJennings ball out so you can leave this team! They will miss u when your gone! It’s all good bye packers! Cheap team, can’t afford him”

Jennings immediately blanketed the fire by explaining that they were not his words or thoughts, but it truly makes one wonder how far they are from the truth.

For the entire off-season, Jennings had been adamant that he was all but finished with the team without a new contract, which make his siblings in-season tweets all the more relevant .

Why go to a team then that does not have a solid quarterback and only has the legs of Adrian Peterson to crank out victories?

Money?

If we had not been bombarded through enough Old Spice commercials, I might think the financial aspect was the cause.

Attention?

For a season where Jennings only played eight games, his impact was immediate. Yet, there lies the rub. Jennings, the last two years, has started 21 of 32 games, and the old adage is that 90 percent of getting the job done is showing up.

Could have been from doing push-ups with a personal watercraft on his back.

Personality conflicts?

Percy Harvin’s attitude and inability to play nice bought him a ticket out of Minnesota.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This is where the most smoke rises, and from the comments from both himself and family very well could have created an uneasiness between the receiver and Super Bowl MVP.

Publically, Jennings has been a class act, and a great ambassador for the Packers, but to go to an unfriendly rival like the Vikings creates these questions.

Which ultimately allows the merry-go-round of Minnesota to continue to spin. Rather than having a multi-faceted game-breaker, the tracks had been set before the train and had left the Vikings with another artifact from Green Bay’s legacy

Would Harvin have stuck with the team that drafted him if they would have groomed him like a receiver similar to the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald? Rather than coddling with impulsive personal moves, could Harvin have learned that players like Favre do not come with a price tag but with patience and a few ugly ducklings?

Whatever the case, the Vikings have put themselves in another situation invested in the here and now.  This bet is huge, but like any obsessive gambler, they need that one win to offset those losses.

We all know how that turns out.

The Minnesota Vikings are still in search of a championship ring like former Packers cornerback Charles Woodson shows off here. It’s kind of ironic that he is wearing Vikings purple in this photo. Could the Vikings come calling for his services anytime soon? Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Well, one of the first stories I came across this morning during my daily perusal of the newest available information about the NFL was a piece on Rant Sports: “Should the Minnesota Vikings Pursue Charles Woodson?”

Well heck, why not?

Clearly, with the Vikings still stinging from the shun put on them by Antoine Winfield, their longtime cornerback who signed yesterday with the Seattle Seahawks, they will be looking for help in solidifying their defensive backfield.

Charles Woodson is still waiting for an NFL team to call.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Woodson could be an answer for them, though in my humble opinion, they would do better by working the draft – but maybe that’s what Ted Thompson does, not the Vikings brass.

We’ve seen it before – and I don’t even have to list all the former Packers who have donned the purple of Minnesota. The Vikings are continuously sniffing the Packers dumpster and convincing former Green Bay stars to cross the river to the land of 10,000 lakes. Why not Woodson?

Well, one of the issues may be money. Though Woodson is sitting at home without nary a phone call from interested teams, he’s still going to want to be paid a significant amount. Though it won’t be anywhere close to the $10 million he was scheduled to get this season with the Packers before they cut him, one could imagine that he could command at least a single-year deal in the $2 million to $3 million range.

Will the Vikings bite? My hope is not, but Woodson is ready to move on anything at this point. My guess is that if the Vikings do have any interest that they will wait until after the draft where they may be able to bolster their defensive backfield without having to resort to signing older, expensive players. Or they may just take the plunge and make the call to Woodson.

Stay tuned …

A classic Brett Favre shot, this photograph was shot back in 2003.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

In the interest of equal time, I’ve got to give Brett Favre a break today – this morning I posted a piece with a picture that made fun of what he looked like on that draft day way back when the Atlanta Falcons selected him.

So, this is serious: Brett Favre – it’s time to come home.

Brett Favre, 2008
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

We were all amused back in early February when he appeared live onstage with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the NFL Awards program on the eve of the Super Bowl. What wasn’t so funny was all the hate against Favre that spewed after that appearance. Yes, there was plenty of love, but I was appalled by the venom thrown his way after the appearance.

It’s got to stop and people have to get over themselves.

Yes, it’s time to put away your pitchforks and torches and realize that It. Is. Time.

First of all, do people really forget what he did for the franchise during his 16 years with the Green Bay Packers? He took the team to two consecutive Super Bowls, he won three consecutive Most Valuable Player awards, his presence was what helped convince the likes of Reggie White to sign with the Packers, he broke every team and league passing record out there (yes, including interceptions), and he changed the face of the franchise that lasts to this very day.

Why the hate? Because he decided to quit, then decided to come back and thought the Packers owed it to him to take him back? Well, being a diva, in my estimation, is far from warranting hate. Yes, he went on to the Jets, got hurt, retired, and then decided to come back and play for the Vikings.

So what? Yes, he beat the Packers in two games in 2009 and nearly led the Vikings to the Super Bowl that season (where they probably would have won). We all know how that ended.

But don’t you remember what happened the next year? Favre lost in his last day at Lambeau, got crushed by the Packers in Minnesota and then the Packers did the ultimate – they went on to win the Super Bowl with their newest hero Aaron Rodgers.

Favre ended his career on the injury list and with his consecutive game streak broken.

He slinked into retirement and has stayed there while Aaron Rodgers is about to become the highest paid player in league history. So, OK, he did have the recent fiasco with calling Greg Jennings to help convince him to sign with the Vikings … hey, maybe he was doing the Packers a favor in this case. The Packers are loaded with receivers and they really don’t need an injury-prone multi-millionaire on their roster. Not only that, but think of the millions the Packers saved to use toward the contracts of Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. Money better well spent.

Brett Favre watches a replay of an interception he threw to the Bears’ Brian Urlacher in 2007.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

So, with all things seemingly equal, it’s time to kiss and make up. Even Packers President Mark Murphy thinks so. It’s time to put bygones aside and move on.

It’s time to start planning for the day when Brett Favre will be welcomed back to Lambeau Field with hearty cheers. It’s time to retire #4 and raise his name onto the ring of honor. It’s time to remember the best of Brett Favre and welcome him back into the Packers family where he belongs.

And I’m not the only one saying this. Check out Mike Vandermause’s and Mike Silver’s columns …

While nobody expects the Packers to open their arms and invite Favre back tomorrow – I would suspect that within the next couple of years the inevitable will take place.

Yes, there’s still plenty of discord out there among Packers fans and probably within the Packers organization, but now’s the time to start thinking and planning for that day. Favre will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a couple of years and we all know he will be a first ballot shoe-in.

For one, I want Favre to go into that Hall of Fame as a Packer. Don’t you?

So, let’s get over it, Packers fans. It’s time to move on and time to accept.

Greg Jennings will be remembered for all he has done for the Packers organization, but we can’t forget – he is now a Minnesota Viking.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today published a “Bittersweet Farewell” from former wide receiver Greg Jennings to fans of the Green Bay Packers, sending a message of thanks and best wishes to all who have followed him over the past seven years.

This has been a tumultuous week for Jennings and Packers fans. There was the talk that Jennings was about to re-sign with the Packers. Then came his announced visit to Minnesota, the dinner with high ranking officials of that organization and then his signing with the NFC North Division rival Vikings.

It all hurt and Packers fans let their feelings known through every available social media outlet.

In addition, earlier this week Jennings went on Minnesota sports talk radio to tell the world that not only did he make the decision to sign with the Vikings because they “stepped up to the plate,” but that he also had received phone calls and texts from none other than Brett Favre, who Jennings said set him straight about the process and where he should sign.

Packers fans were not happy – they felt doubly stung and doubly hurt.

Today’s message, in my humble opinion, relieves some of the sting that has come about.

However, we can’t forget that he is now a Minnesota Viking and though we love everything he’s done for the Packers organization, his due will come when the Vikes and Packers play in the future.

The ad published today is below.

Brett Favre was on the phone with Greg Jennings to help him make the decision to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers fans had gotten over the fact that Greg Jennings has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but the former Packers wide receiver twisted the knife even more today by raising the name of “He Who Shall Not be Named.”

For many, the gloves are now off.

Yes, it was reported today on nfl.com, among other places today, that Vikings officials had Brett Favre on the phone with Jennings upon landing in Minnesota for his visit prior to his signing with the team.

“Literally, as I got off the plane and (offensive coordinator Bill) Musgrave walked up to me, I’m on the phone with Brett,” Jennings said on KFAN-AM, via Min.Scout.com.

And if that’s not enough to tick off those who disliked Favre for his move to Minnesota in 2009, Jennings said it wasn’t just one phone call from the former Packers quarterback that he received. ”I spoke with Brett two or three times throughout this process. He shot me straight. I knew if there was one person that would shoot straight and tell me exactly what I wanted to hear and things I possibly didn’t want to hear, it would be Brett. He did that for me.”

Yes, we’re sure Favre shot him straight alright.

Packers fans who already have a grudge against Favre will no doubt add this nugget of information to their arsenal.

We wonder if Favre had anything good to say about Green Bay. After all the love he and Aaron Rodgers appeared to share on the stage of the NFL awards program last month, it’s become pretty clear that it was all for show.

We also wonder how Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy are feeling after hearing this news … disappointed, at the least. Probably pretty ticked off.

Leave it to the Vikings to pull every possible trick out of their bag to get Jennings to sign with them.

I guess you can say they were successful … for now.

Greg Jennings will be catching passes for the Minnesota Vikings next fall.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Adios Greg Jennings!

Way back in my college days, when a “true love” broke my heart, the easiest way to handle the torment that ripped my heart apart was to walk down to U Liquors (yes that was the name of the place and I believe it still exists), buy a case of Old Milwaukee (it was cheap and made great furniture, just ask my old buddy ,Kirk) and drink until the sun came up or the lights went down.  Then I would stumble over to the Village Wok and get an order of egg foo young and go back to my room and sleep (OK, maybe pass out).  But that was when I was young, foolish and thought it was cool to wear a Tony Mandarich jersey on the streets of Minneapolis.

So fast forward 20 years.  Mandarich has been replaced with Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, and Clay Matthews.  Old Milwaukee has been replaced with coffee and equal, and the occasional trip to the Mall of America wearing anything and everything Green Bay Packers, yet the heartache still remains, but not in the way you would think.

Let me start by saying, I am not sorry to see Greg Jennings go.  Seriously, good riddance.  The Packers Nation does not need his ego, nor do they need his persistent injury-prone, self-indulging persona.

What you may say … well it is true.  Greg Jennings was a product of the system he was in.  Yes he had to have some solid skills, but when you have Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers throwing to you, you are going to look better than you really are.  Favre and Rodgers elevated the play of those around them.  They made the average, become above average.

Now Jennings is going to a team, that no matter how he wants to spin it, has a sub-standard quarterback whose main job is to hand off to Adrian Peterson.  They are not rising, they are not improving, they are fortunate to even still be playing in Minnesota.  Now Jennings is going to find out what it means to lose.

His career is all downhill from here.  Honestly ask yourself, have any of the former Packers who moved westward to the Purple City done anything with their careers?  Did any of them win a championship?  Yeah, there were two division titles since 2005 in Minnesota, but one playoff victory (as many Vikqueen fans pointed out to me) and the only Super Bowl they win is when they are playing on their Xbox.

The best quote I have read regarding Jennings and his decision to wear the Purple came from Mike Freeman, National NFL Insider for CBSsports.com, who wrote, “….it’s all but certain that Jennings’ career will die a slow death. Jennings went from Aaron Rodgers to Christian Ponder. I like Ponder more than most (OK, I’m the only one who likes him) but even as a Ponder backer, he’s not in the same galaxy as Aaron Rodgers. So Jennings made the classic decision. He got his money but his career is all down hill from here.
“The Packers will continue to fight for Super Bowls and Jennings will disappear like he’s wearing a cloaking device.”

So this is where my heart breaks.  It breaks because Greg Jennings cared nothing about those who supported him.  He cared nothing about those of us who wished him well during the injuries.  He forgot about the cheers and championships, the love of the Packers Nation.  He gave it all up because he wanted it to be all about him.  He quit on us, when we never quit on him.

He told us this well before the season started that he was leaving when he alluded to this being his last year.  He slapped the Green and Gold in the face when he turned down more money than he is going to make, not once but twice when Ted Thompson tried to re-sign him.  The final sign was when he put his house up for sale.  Most people do not sell their house until they know they are leaving or at least expect to leave.  He knew then as he knew the day he arrived in Minnesota, he was not coming back.

My heart is heavy not because Greg Jennings went to the Vi-queens.  It is heavy because he played us and used us, like an old college flame.  He led us to believe that we were what mattered the most, but in the end, it was all about him and what he wanted.

So, Greg Jennings, know this, you do not deserve to wear the honorable colors of the Green Bay Packers.  You do not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as James Lofton, Sterling Sharpe, and Donald Driver.  You deserve exactly what you are going to get for the rest of your career, playing second fiddle to Adrian Peterson, and nothing else!

In the end, you showed us the real you.  That it is not about being part of a team that strives for excellence and championships.  This is all about feeding your self-delusional dreams of being the man.  I guess you never learned that in football, being the man means putting the team first.

Enjoy your money and the slow sinking feeling that is going to be your career as we enjoy those players who put the Packers Nation above all else!

The NFL will never have the honor and privilege to watch Aaron Rodgers throw to Greg Jennings.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings signed with the Minnesota Vikings late Friday night, sending fans of the Purple People Eaters into celebration and the Packers’ faithful to anger, disappointment and shock.

What was Jennings thinking when he said the Vikings “stepped up to the plate?”

Translation = Money.

Yes, he signed for lots of money – lots and lots of money, but he forgot one thing as he was putting pen to paper – success on the field.

Christian Ponder will be throwing next season to former Packer Greg Jennings. How successful he will be is up for debate.
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

He left that in Green Bay and he will never find it again, especially in Minnesota. Unless the Vikings go out and draft Joe Montana, Jennings will never again experience what he did in Green Bay with his battery mate, Aaron Rodgers. With Christian Ponder, Jennings will be lucky to total 500 yards – oh, he’ll have a few high points, will score some touchdowns for the Vikings, but what he also forgot while signing that piece of paper was that Ponder hands off to Adrian Peterson 350 times per season, which means the ball will be coming his way that many fewer times.

Consider this: The Vikings passing offense under Christian Ponder the past two seasons has averaged around 2,800 yards per season. In 2011, the Vikings ranked 28th. They improved to 20th in 2012. Will Jennings bring enough to the team to improve that ranking? Not unless Adrian Peterson can throw the ball or until that Joe Montana shows up on the Vikings’ sideline.

With Rodgers throwing to him, Jennings accounted for 1,300 yards by himself in the past two years and that’s while missing three games in 2011 and eight in 2012.

Mike Freeman, National NFL Insider for CBSsports.com, said it best today when he wrote about the move by Jennings:

 ”… it’s all but certain that Jennings’ career will die a slow death. Jennings went from Aaron Rodgers to Christian Ponder. I like Ponder more than most (OK, I’m the only one who likes him) but even as a Ponder backer, he’s not in the same galaxy as Aaron Rodgers. So Jennings made the classic decision. He got his money but his career is all down hill from here.

“The Packers will continue to fight for Super Bowls and Jennings will disappear like he’s wearing a cloaking device.”

Larry Fitzgerald’s career has taken a marked downturn since Kurt Warner retired. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Freeman goes on to compare Jennings’ future to that Cardinals’ wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has experienced – and he’s right. Fitzgerald was all-world when Kurt Warner was throwing to him. When Warner retired, he disappeared. The same will happen to Jennings, I’m afraid.

So, good luck with your future, Mr. Jennings. It’s been nice seeing you succeed in Green Bay. It will be disappointing watching your career unravel in Minnesota.

 Here are Jennings’ career statistics in Green Bay …