Moss Takes The Podium After Loss To Former Team

Brett Favre SuffersA Laceration To The Chin














 






Randy Moss Sheds A Tear For His Former Team












FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — Randy Moss got fined $25,000 by the NFL this week for not cooperating with the media. The Vikings receiver had plenty to say Sunday after catching only one pass in a 28-18 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.



In one of the strangest "news conferences" you'll ever see, Moss announced that he will not conduct any more interviews the rest of the season.



Moss then said that if he does grant an interview, he will ask the questions and provide the answers. Wearing a black Boston Red Sox hat, he spoke nearly five minutes about his affection for the Patriots organization, his former teammates and coach Bill Belichick and the relationships he made during his three-plus year tenure. He said he "shed a tear" over an ovation he received after the game.



Moss then criticized Vikings coach Brad Childress' decision not to kick a field goal at the end of the first half and said he was disappointed his coaches and teammates didn't listen to the insight he gave on the Patriots last week.



Moss concluded by literally saluting the Patriots and Belichick.



"I love you guys, I miss you, I'm out," Moss said.



Moss was basically a nonfactor in his return. He caught one pass for 8 yards and was targeted only three times, one of which drew a pass interference penalty. The Patriots used deep safety help to take away his vertical threat. He also had a classic Moss moment in the fourth quarter. Moss drew an interference penalty on safety Brandon Meriweather on a deep pass down the sideline near the end zone. Meriweather fell down on the play, leaving Moss wide open with the ball in the vicinity. But he let up and inexplicably did not try to catch the ball.



Reporters gathered around Moss' locker after the game and he informed everyone that he would be talking on the podium. Did he ever.

Brett Favre vs. Brad Childress: Who's at Fault? The Saga Continues

Brett Favre And Brad Childress Don't Mix?

For the 10th time, it looks like Brett Farve is finally at the tipping point. Regardless of playing in 291 games straight, leading the world in interceptions, and mastering the underhand flip pass before being smothered, Farve has finally hit a glass ceiling that cannot be broken through.







Public blunders, including his admitted creepy messages left on a female Jet's reporters cell phone, as well as head coach Brad Childress outing him on a nationally televised postgame press conference for "not knowing when to accept a punt" have been the icing on the cake for what is quickly looking like the end of the road for ol' Brett.







Never mind the fact that the Vikes have unheralded offensive potential with Moss and AP: The friction between Childress and his veteran QB will prove fatal in the 2010 Minnesota campaign.







To gain the utmost credibility as a head coach in the National Football league, the notion of keeping issues "in-house" is key. Similar to a shrink who swears confidentiality, then tells everyone involved what they think of your problems, Childress has laid all the blame on Brett Farve and his team. But wait a second: Wasn't it Childress who took Brett back, and gave the cold shoulder to a rapidly improving Tarvaris Jackson?







For a dynamic squad like the Vikings to be in a position where the Oakland Raiders have better depth at quarterback has the state of 10,000 lakes a little shaky. Stack on the fact that the Vikes face the Patriots in New England this weekend, you'd have to think that the bye week can't come soon enough.







After the bye, Minnesota then travels to Chicago, which should be a winnable match, but not one fan can consider that game as the lock it should be. Minnesota could very easily end up at 2-6 in as little as three Sundays from now







How Will The Vikings Finish The 2010 Regular Season Campaign?



6-10 or worse



7-9



8-8



9-7



10+ wins



Submit Vote vote to see results Farve has been limping since hopping off his tractor to talk with Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson, and Ryan Longwell about a possible comeback this Fall. Everyone in the sports world knew that No. 4 wasn't the same guy after his interception last year in the playoffs sealed an eventual Saints Super Bowl win.







So why is it Brett's fault?







Childress is a man who looks uncertain of his own team, choosing to slate Jackson to the bench, and go with a quick fix in Farve, who now has fractured bones in his foot, and might be ending his amazing run at consecutive games played.







If only Childress had some inspiration in what to do...oh wait, that Aaron Rodgers guy is pretty good, how did he get the starting job again? Exactly.

Brett Favre Goes for 3 in a Row vs. the Packers

The stars aligned perfectly for the Vikings in their two match-ups with the Packers in 2009. The Packer line couldn’t contend with the Viking pass rush, the Packer defense could get no pressure on Brett Favre…and, oh yeah, Favre himself had that whole sticking it to Ted Thompson thing motivating him. The result: 2 wins over Green Bay on the way to a 12-4 finish and a division title. Things may not line up so perfectly for the Vikings this year however. The pass protection has not been good, so it’s unlikely Favre will have the kind of time he did in those two games last season. And Aaron Rodgers will face a Vikings pass rush that has not lived up to its fearsome reputation so far. As for Favre himself…this year, he seems more frustrated than motivated. Of course, we expect Brett will be up for tonight’s game more than most, because it’s still the Packers, and he still wants to shove Ted Thompson’s face in it. Whether that lingering revenge-lust will translate into a more focused and effective Favre performance remains to be seen.



Injuries are a big part of the story for both teams going into the game. Favre, as we know, has been dealing with elbow tendinitis, though that issue seemed to bother him less in the Dallas game than it did a couple of weeks ago against the Jets. The losses of Cedric Griffin and Husain Abdullah leave the Vikings once again scrambling to cobble together a secondary; this week they will get limited use of Chris Cook, who is still coming back from a meniscus tear, and will re-activate Tyrell Johnson who hasn’t played in several weeks (though Jamarca Sanford is expected to start). On the offensive line, they will get back center John Sullivan, who may split time with Jon Cooper. For the Packers, the injury issues are more profound and troubling. They are without Jermichael Finley, Ryan Grant, Nick Barnett, Brady Poppinga, Al Harris and Atari Bigby. The last two guys on that list were eligible to come off the PUP list this weekend but the Packers elected to keep them inactive. Their best pass rusher, Clay Matthews, is banged up but will play. Ryan Pickett and Mark Tauscher are also question marks. The Vikings, for all the health issues they’ve had the last few weeks, are in much better shape than the Packers for this game.



Tonight’s game will, among other things, be a match-up of two of the more disappointing offenses in the league. Both teams sported potent offenses last season, and were expected to come back this year with strong squads, but both Os have been derailed by a combination of injury and general inconsistency. The Vikings may be able to trace a lot of their offensive inadequacy back to Brett Favre’s lack of training camp; the Packers’ situation is a little more puzzling. Yes they’ve had injuries to key players, but they still have a Pro-Bowl quarterback and a formidable array of receivers. If you believe Aaron Rodgers, the weapons the Packers do still have are not being utilized correctly or enough. Rodgers himself has often been the problem, throwing interceptions in key spots, and generally not living up to the hype that has built around him ever since he took over for Favre. In Rodgers’ defense, his pass protection has not been good and he has had very little run support. However, if Rodgers is the MVP-caliber player some claim he can be, he needs to step up at some point and help the team overcome the injuries and spotty offensive line play. The same could perhaps be said for Brett Favre, who has at times compounded an already frustrating offensive situation, but at least Favre has a prior track record to lean on in reassuring fans that he knows what to do in big moments (Favre’s winning percentage in close games is slightly higher than Aaron Rodgers’ .083 mark).



Yes there are two entire teams playing tonight in Lambeau Field, but the story is the quarterbacks, the old grizzled warrior vs. the young turk who wants to prove himself by vanquishing the man who came before him. The last thing proud Favre wants is to let the upstart Rodgers get the better of him; the last thing Rodgers wants is to fall to 0-3 against Favre, especially amid the atmosphere of doubt that is beginning to accumulate around him and the team. If Rodgers does lose to Favre again, the legacy of #4 will only become a more haunting presence. But if Rodgers finally gets past the psychological hurdle represented by Favre, it could spur him and the Packers on to bigger things. For Favre, it’s all about picking himself up after a tough first five games and finally putting together a complete, solid, wire-to-wire Brett Favre performance – something closer to what he accomplished last year against the Packers. Playing Green Bay could be the perfect salve for what ails Favre, the thing that finally gets him back to where he needs to be psychologically and in executing the offense. If Favre struggles again though, Viking fans will have even more reason to worry that their leader has slipped too far physically and emotionally…and then they will have to wonder if there’s any hope at all of turning around what has thus far been a troubling season.

Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football Standings

After a disappointing loss in the opener in New Orleans, the Vikings return to Minnesota for their home opener against the Dolphins. The team came out of the opener with far more questions than answers on offense, which makes gauging the offensive stars’ fantasy potential this week a little tougher.



Brett Favre

Favre was unquestionably rusty in Week 1, completing just 15-of-27 pass attempts for 171 yards and 1 TD against a Saints defense that surprisingly didn’t blitz him like they had in the NFC Championship Game. It’ll be interesting to see how the Dolphins – another team that features a 3-4 defensive alignment – approaches things in Week 2. Miami fielded the 3rd worst defense in the NFL last year in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs, although that’s in part because they surrendered a league-high 5 QB rushing TDs. But they managed to hold only 4 opposing QBs under 225 passing yards and allowed 10 passing TDs in their final 5 games of last year. They held Trent Edwards to 139 yards and 1 TD a week ago, but you and 10 of your friends could probably do the same, so I’m not putting much stock in that. Dolphins rookie DE Jared Odrick won’t play because of a leg injury, and as long as the Vikings can contain ILB Karlos Dansby, Favre should have plenty of time to pick apart a very vulnerable secondary. Favre recorded 288 passing yards per game and an absurd 21-2 TD-INT ratio in regular season home games last year, so I like his chances in this one.

Adrian Peterson

Peterson ran hard and gained 4.6 yards per carry before the offense bogged down in last week’s 2nd half, and you can bet he’ll get more than just 19 attempts this week against the Fish. Miami trotted out a mediocre run defense that yielded 11 RB rushing scores and just under 100 rushing yards per game last year. They added a star at LB in Dansby, but their other starting ILB, Channing Crowder, has a mysterious groin injury that could end his season, and they’ll miss Odrick up front, where they feature 3 new starting lineman who all lack experience. The Vikings offensive line should have a clear advantage in the battle of the trenches. In a matchup of Peterson vs. anything described as “mediocre,” you have to give a huge advantage to Peterson. With closer to 30 carries in Week 2, AP should wind up with a stat line more like what you’d expect from your #1 or #2 overall fantasy pick.

Percy Harvin

Perhaps because he, too, missed a significant portion of training camp, Harvin looked out of whack in the opener. Playing more on the outside, as opposed to strictly in the slot, Harvin struggled to form a connection with Favre, and the two misfired on several plays that could have gone for big yardage. Unoffically, Harvin was targeted on 5 different occasions and only caught 1 of them. With another week of practice under their belts, I fully expect to see Harvin emerge as Favre’s go-to WR in Week 2. Only 5 teams allowed more than the 18 WR TDs surrendered by the Dolphins secondary in 2009, and they did nothing to upgrade the unit during the offseason (outside of acquiring nickel CB Benny Sapp from the Vikings). Look for a nice bounceback from Harvin this week, who remains an excellent fantasy WR2 option.

Bernard Berrian

Berrian didn’t exactly step up in the absence of Sidney Rice in Week 1, but I’m willing to give him the same benefit of the doubt as Favre and Harvin. It was probably unfair to ask Berrian to completely replace everything Rice did for this team in 2009 anyways, as the two players have completely different skillsets. Berrian’s at his best when stretching the defense deep downfield, and assuming the Dolphins don’t throw an aggressive blitz package at Favre this week, he should have time to do just that in Week 2. Don’t overlook the fact that the Saints also employ two of the best cover CB in the business – something the ‘Fins certainly can’t boast in Vontae Davis and Jason Allen. Berrian has unquestionably plummeted back to Earth from a fantasy perspective, but owners who stick by him as a flex option this week could be rewarded with a long TD in a bounceback effort.

Greg Camarillo

Camarillo barely saw the field in Week 1 and has admitted he’s still getting acclimated to his new offense. He’ll have a little extra motivation this week against his former teammates, but everything depends on how fast he can pick up the offense. In limited duty last week, Camarillo looked like he’ll eventually be an asset to this passing game, but it’s still too soon to considering using him in your fantasy lineup.

Visanthe Shiancoe

Outside of Peterson running wild in the 1st half last week, Shiancoe was the only other bright spot during the loss to the Saints. With 4 catches for 76 yards and the lone Vikings TD, Shiancoe was the only thing going for the sputtering passing offense… until he was shut down by Saints safety Roman Harper in the 2nd half. You can fully expect the Dolphins to key on stopping Shiancoe, but as long as Harvin and Berrian are contributing, I’m not confident a defense that allowed 3 different 100-yard games to opposing TEs a year ago can actually accomplish the task. Miami’s starting FS is a raw 2009 5th round draft pick, and SS Yeremiah Bell is better as a run-stopper than he is in coverage. Shiancoe is easily Favre’s most dependable target right now, and he looks like a top-5 fantasy TE for the remainder of the season.

Ryan Longwell

The Dolphins “led” the league in both field goals made against them last year and allowed the 2nd most points to opposing kickers. Longwell should be in your lineup, no questions asked.

Vikings Defense

The addition of Brandon Marshall didn’t make a significant impact for the Dolphins last week, who dinked and dunked their way to just 182 passing yards against the Bills. Miami’s strength is in the running game with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, but the Vikings are among the stingiest run defenses in the NFL – particularly at home. Marshall has a clear advantage in size over the Vikings CBs, but a little pressure on Chad Henne should negate most of that advantage. Henne isn’t asked to air it out on a regular basis, so it seems unlikely that Miami will be able to put up a lot of points in this one. The Dolphins do feature one of the best offensive lines in the game, but they allowed roughly 2 sacks per game and served up 19 interceptions in 2009, so there’s potential for plenty of defensive fantasy points here.

Sidney Rice's Hip Is Improving, But When We Returns To The Vikings Is Still Uncertain

Sidney Rice's hip is improving, but when he returns to the Vikings is still uncertain

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Sidney Rice Will Miss The First 6 Games Of The Season

While Childress was offensive coordinator there.
Asked about his comfort level with receivers Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin, Greg Camarillo and Greg Lewis, Childress said he's "completely comfortable."
Injury update: Left tackle Bryant McKinnie says the dislocated finger he suffered against the Saints is fine and he will play this week. The gory photographs of his treatment that he posted on his Twitter account last weekend were not for the squeamish.
McKinnie was injured early in the fourth quarter against New Orleans. He said he would have been able to return, but the Vikings never got the ball back.
Baby steps: Though his knee is feeling "strong" after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in late January, cornerback Cedric Griffin says he's not rushing his return.
The Vikings considered playing Griffin against the Saints but ultimately placed him on the inactive list.
"This is something I'm doing for my career, more than just the first game or second game," Griffin said. "I'm looking out for my interests as well. We're taking our time."
Last year's starter said the process is day to day, and he believes he will play "whenever the coaches feel I'm good and whenever I go express my feelings (that I'm ready)."
Quote of note: "If you go to the ground, you have to come up with the football. Period." — Childress, on Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson's apparent touchdown catch with 24 seconds left at Chicago on Sunday that was ruled incomplete despite clear possession of the ball. Johnson left the ball on the ground as he popped up, giving the Bears a 19-14 victory.
Brian Murphy contributed to this report.

Toby Gerhart Minnesota vikings 3rd Down Back

A week after arthroscopic hip surgery, Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice has been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
This means Rice will miss the first six games of the season, after which the team will have three weeks to activate him for practices or place him on injured reserve. The latter would risk losing Rice for the entire year.
Coach Brad Childress said last week he expected at least eight weeks before realistic discussions of Rice's return.
Rice said on Twitter that he would return to the Vikings' Winter Park facility on Monday.
Rice's move to PUP came in light of the Vikings' efforts to trim the roster to 75 players for Tuesday's deadline.
The team waived tackle Bill Noethlich, receiver Marko Mitchell and linebacker J Leman. The Vikings have to cut to 53 players by Saturday.
Injury update: Running back Toby Gerhart, a second-round pick out of Stanford, returned to practice after missing Monday because of a knee injury.
Also missing in action were cornerback Chris Cook (knee), center John Sullivan (calf), defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, wide receiver Logan Payne, safety Jamarca Sanford and tight end Garrett Mills.
Percy Harvin strolled into practice a couple of minutes late. At this point, his everyday attendance is a victory for the Vikings after he missed most of the preseason with migraine headaches.
'Big game' for Webb: Rookie quarterback Joe Webb said he's confident in his place