Vikes release Safety Dwight Smith

  At age 29, and having had 4 interceptions in each of his two years at Minnesota, Smith was released today. Coach Brad Childress simply stated "We are going to go in another direction". Good job coach Childress.

  Smith has been one of my least favorite Vikings since he was seen along the sideline laughing during the 34-0 loss at Green Bay. Having the league's last ranked pass defense the past two years, with two different defensive coordinators, required someone have accountability.

  The draft is not deep at safety, beyond Phillips from Miami.  The chances of Phillips still being on there at #17 aren't real strong. One mock draft has the Bears taking him at #15. The Vikes could find some quality from free agency. One of the FA Safeties that interest me is Gibril Wilson of the Giants.

Kenechi Udeze diagnosed with Luekemia

  My heart goes out to Kenechi, the human being.  Football is just a game. Kenechi had his best year as a Viking at left DE and he is an important part of our present. However, his future is more important than any game. From what I have seen of luekemia, it doesn't matter how big or strong you are - luekemia can be a fast killer. Hopefully, it was caught early or is a form that has a decent survival rate.

  The sports blogs have been filled with many good wishes and offers of prayer since this news came out. Some posters even suggest that donating money to medical research is better than praying. No topic is safe from bloggers trash-talking each other.

  I'm not a praying man, normally. I believe in a hands-off God who would never answer a selfish prayer or approve of an ulterior motive. I have said a prayer for Kenechi, however, in hopes that he may live a full life far beyond his 24 years. My best wishes to a good young man and all his family and friends.

Interesting Players Cut Before Free Agency Officially Begins

  The NFL manages to stay interesting and relavent even between seasons - next the designers of SIM CITY, SIM ZOO, etc., will develope a SIM NFL franchise game where you jockey through free agents, the draft, and undrafted college players and make such wise decisions and timely moves that the next Super Bowl is practically won before the next season actually begins.

  The Atlanta Falcons got the ball rolling by releasing several "name" players, like Alge Crumpler, Rod Coleman, and Byron Leftwich. Then Miami released Marty Booker and Zach Thomas. Chicago released Muhsin Muhammed. Green Bay released Bubba Franks. This should be the bargain period where quality can be had without over-paying.

  Over-paying begins after March 1st when players like Visanthe Shiancoe make out like bandits.

  I was shocked to see the Vikings have the 3rd highest payroll in the NFL at 121 million dollars (click on the Salary tab on the team front page). This hardly seems possible because year-after-year I'd heard the Vikes were 20-25 million under the cap. It must be those in-season contract extensions, such as Kluwe and Herrara received. It shows McKinnie making 17 million - 2 million more than Hutchinson. The signing bonuses have to be included here because no way could your two highest paid players be offensive linemen by a longshot. (I didn't say they weren't important but Moss was paid 8 million this year - Brady was paid 10 million!)

  Erasmus James has stolen $10 million from the Vikes? Our third highest paid player is Troy Williamson at 9 million dollars? Sheesh...we have a lot of dead money.

A Glance Back At The Pro Bowl

  I usually don't watch the Pro Bowl but since 7 Vikings were playing this year I decided to. I'm glad I did. It was an entertaining game and our Vikings performed very well. Adrian Peterson earned MVP and a new Cadillac CTS. He ran with the speed and quickness he showed before the knee injury and subsequent wearing of the knee brace.

  The Giants had just one representative Osi Umenyiora (apolgies for my spelling). The entire NFC South had just one representative - Jeff Garcia of Tampa Bay.

  All 7 of the Vikings contributed to victory and it made me wonder - with a core of 7 Pro Bowl Players on our team, 6 of whom were voted as starters, how did we not finish better than 8-8? With the players we have - the quality of talent - the Minnesota Vikings should have had a better record and made the play-offs.

  Why didn't we? The answer has to be either coaching or quarterback play. Maybe both.

  The Giants won a Super Bowl with 1 Pro Bowl Player. (Yes, I know they have many great players but only 1 was considered so by the people who voted.) How did the Giants win? You would have to say good quarterback play and great coaching.

  With 7 Pro Bowlers can the Vikes make it with Fair QB play and Fair coaching? Not likely.