Childress, Why moss?

Childress On Bubble Of Being Let Go

Say it ain't so!



After a five year absence, Randy Moss was finally back wearing the famed Minnesota Viking "84" jersey. The jersey, many Viking fans longed to see him in.



After four games back where he belongs, Brad Childress, you mean to report that you have waived him? Why? Was your ego jilted? Was your ultra-thinned skin damaged by the truth?



After your Minnesota Viking team was defeated in New England 28-18 last Sunday, were you left in envy of a franchise that is everything yours is not? A winner?



Yes, the Patriots, winners of three Super Bowls in four appearances during the 2000's, also currently stand at 6-1, the best record in the league. Your team is 2-5 and sinking fast.



You have more talent on your roster than they do, but they have a great head coach on their sideline and you Brad Childress, are no great head coach. Frankly, you are not even a good one.



In Moss' post-game press conference when he referred to Bill Belichick as the best coach of all time, were you insulted because he did not bestow that title upon you? Perhaps you feel your 1-2 playoff record outshines Belichick's 15-5 playoff record?



Maybe you acted in haste, because during that press conference, Moss revealed to everyone, how even with him explaining the Patriots offense to you and your coaching staff, you still could not stop them.



Or, could it be you wasted a future third round draft pick, because you are upset about Moss' alledged outburst over a locker room meal? Is that why you suddenly decided to waive the second most prolific receiver in Viking history?



Currently, do you not have a quarterback on your roster being investigated by the NFL for possible misconduct that could result in a lawsuit? Is he getting ready to be waived also, or is his 29th ranked quarterback passer rating so impressive it warrants him receiving preferrential treatment?



Oh that's right, you said that you want "good people" on your team. Really? Seriously? Are you not the one who cut Marcus Robinson on Christmas Eve? Yes, Christmas Eve, because the receiver - who led the team in touchdown receptions at the time - dared to speak out about your dreadful offense that was so predictable, it would not have been able to outsmart a fifth grader.



You are such a "good person", that a few years ago you simply could not resist fining Troy Williamson for taking too long in South Carolina, attending the funeral of his grandmother who raised him, and taking care of her affairs. Yes, such a wonderful show of compassion on your part.



During last season's playoffs, your "class act" was on full display as you had an- already-selfish, stat-driven quarterback throw two unnecessary late fourth-quarter touchdowns to drub your outmatched Dallas Cowboy opponent 34-3.



Zygi Wilf, you own the Vikings, it is time for you to break your silence, and begin cleaning up this mess that is your franchise. It is time to acknowledge that your first and only coaching hire thus far, has been a mistake. A big one. Cut your losses.



When you hired Childress in 2006, his first order of business was alienating Daunte Culpepper, the third most prolific passer in Viking history. He unceremoniously cut Culpepper, the franchise quarterback at the time, just prior to the start of that season.



Now the latest fiasco has Moss being cut suddenly without any reasonable explanation being provided. What sense does this make? Here says that Moss will one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and that Childress will not.



Moss has played on the two highest scoring offenses in NFL history, the '98 Vikings and the '07 Patriots. This year, in the four games he played in, Moss boosted the per game scoring average from a paltry average of 14, to a respectable average of 21. Yet, just like that, he is gone, and realistically, so is this season.



The time has come that Brad Childress should be fired. The team is in total turmoil, there is no present indication that a turnaround is soon on its way. So why wait? The Vikings need a fresh start.



Remember Mr. Owner, how on New Year's Day, 2006, you didn't even wait until then Head Coach, Mike Tice, could even make it to the locker room to address his players after the victorious season finale? You fired him right on the spot in a room off of the tunnel. You certainly did not wait then, why wait now?



Your current coach has turned your organization into a joke, that lacks humor. It is unimaginable how there could be any respect for him in that locker room now.



In his four and a half seasons, at most a handful of teams have had as many Pro Bowl players on their rosters as he has had on his, yet Childress has only been able to produce a mediocre overall regular season record of 38-33.



As Brad Childress continues to run the organization into the ground, his ineptitude begins to reflect more and more upon the ownership. Just curious to know Mr. Wilf, what is the ownership going to do about it?

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.

Bevell Will Be Surprised If Favre Doesn't Play

Brett Favre left the Vikings walkthrough Thursday morning without the walking boot on his left ankle. Favre is not expected to practice Thursday and his status for Sunday's game remains in question.



Favre, who has two fractures in his left ankle, said Wednesday that he wants to play, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said he will be surprised if Favre doesn't extend his NFL record for consecutive starts to 292 games.



"Surprising would probably be a good word," Bevell said during his weekly press conference. "He's never not been out there so it would probably be a surprise. I was there [in Green Bay] and he broke the thumb. Immediately the doctor said, 'Hey, we've got to pin it and you're going to be out six to eight weeks.' In his mind, he said, 'Well wait a minute, I just played really well.' We didn't know it was broken. He said, 'I'm going to give it a shot.' He played with that as well. It would surprise me if he wasn't able to be out there."



Bevell said the decision will rest with Favre and Coach Brad Childress. Childress criticized Favre's decision-making against Green Bay on Sunday after he threw three second-half interceptions. Favre now has 10 interceptions and 14 turnpovers on the season.



Bevell said the coaching staff always has candid conversations with Favre when evaluating each game.



"It's important for [quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers] and myself as well to break it down like we would do with any other player," Bevell said. "We don't pull any punches with him. We tell him exactly how we feel it should be looked at. Actually to be honest, Brett is great about it. He sits there in the meetings and understands.



"Now the one thing you have to understand as well is how many years of experience he has of standing out there looking at it. Sometimes it's important to listen to him. He says, 'Here's what I saw, here's why I went over there.' You can either say, 'OK, I understand that' or you can say, 'OK, I know you have all these years of experience but that's not the way we want to look at it. We want you to look over here and go from there to there.'"

Favre: I wouldn't put anything past me

Brett Favre had gotten rid of the walking boot on his left foot Thursday as he made his way through the Vikings locker room and continued to seem optimistic that he might be able to do some work in prepartion for playing Sunday at New England.






















"I wouldn't put anything past me to be honest with you," said Favre, who suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle and a fractured left heel on Sunday at Green Bay.





















The 20-year veteran seemed in good spirits as he walked gingerly and sorted through his locker looking for a shoe. Favre was looking for a size-15 shoe for his left foot, something he would wear against the Patriots. That is exactly what Favre did in 2000 when he suffered a severly sprained left foot but played the next week and led the Packers to a 26-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Favre wears a size-14 shoe ordinarily.





















As far as talking to coach Brad Childress in the past day to make a determination about playing, Favre said: "We haven't talked really. I've been getting treatment. I don't think that is an unusual thing with me [to not have discussed it yet.]"

Brett Favre Returns To Green Bay

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Bret Favre Statue Built In Green Bay

In anticipation of the Packers-Vikings game in Green Bay on October 24th, the mayor of Green Bay, Mayor McCheese, has asked Packers fans to welcome back Brett Favre but to keep the welcomes “tasteful.”







“So a statue of Brett wiping his behind with a slice of funky French fromage is out of the question?” asks petulant Packers fan Jack Pepper.







“What if we draw up a banner showing Brett sandwiched between two waffle slices?” asks pretty perky Packers fan Pamela Muenster.







“I’ve got it! We’ll have a dummy wearing No. 4 mashed under a big pile of cheeseheads!” offers pesty Packers fan Colby Asiago.







“What if we make fun of Brett’s commercial where he can’t decide which TV to buy by showing the TVs have sprouted legs and are walking off in disgust?” asks particularly prickly Packers fan Jack Monterey.







"What if we showed Brett trying to make phone calls, but instead of getting reception, all his phone calls are intercepted...or maybe showing him making phone calls without his pants?” proposes pompous Packers fan Paneer Provolone.







“How in the heck are you going to depict phone calls as being intercepted?” asks perplexed Packers fan Feta Monchego. "I can see depicting him holding the phone in the crotchital area—but being intercepted?"











Adam Bettcher/Getty Images “I’m not exactly sure,” Provolone posits,“but we could hire the artist, Mike Krawczyk. He can draw anything.”







“I’m not sure we can afford Krawczyk,” says prudent Packers fan Brie Camambert, “and even then, I hear he might be a Steelers fan.”







“OK, how’s this?” replies the priggish Provolone, “We show Favre sitting at a big table in a Waffle House, since he’s such a waffler, and someone at the far end of the table asks him to pass the syrup. Then, when Favre passes the syrup, instead of the guy at the far end of the table who originally asked for the syrup getting the bottle, another guy in a Packers shirt intercepts it.”







“That would be a very complicated mural,” ponders periodontally prominent Packers fan Parmesan Ricotta. “I’m not sure that even an artist like Krawczyk could complete such a project in this short period of time.”







“Okay, how’s this?” the preening yet pragmatic Provolone poses. “We erect a statue of Brett facing a group of Packers fans who all have knives in their backs...with Jenn Sterger carrying the biggest knife.”







“Guys!” yells Mayor McCheese while wearing a cheese coat and a cheesehead hat with string cheese hanging from his nose. “Keep it tasteful!”

Bevell Calls Favre's Status 'Day To Day Thing'

Favre did not practice Wednesday because of tendinitis in his right elbow. Favre said he would consider not playing and thus ending his record consecutive games streak if he feels like he's hurting the team.

Could This Be It For The 40 Year-Old QB?

Bevell said he can't envision Favre not being on the field, but he said his status this week is a "day-to-day thing." Bevell also said he didn't see Favre clutching his arm after making several throws Monday night until he watched the highlights.



Bevell was asked if Favre's injury will affect how he has to call the game.



"No," Bevell said.



Not at all?



"No," Bevell said.



Because you have confidence he can make every throw or you can't worry about it?



"If a guy is going to play then you have to play it the way you're going to play it," Bevell said. "You're not going to be able to hide the quarterback obviously. If he's got to make throws, he's got to make throws. If he can't make them, you have to put somebody else in there."



Of course, we also know that Bevell is not going to tip his hand on any game plan thinking. No coach would. But it seems reasonable to think the Vikings will want to establish the running game and rely on that heavily Sunday against Dallas to limit the amount of throws Favre has to make.



"If that's the approach we take then I'm all in for it," Adrian Peterson said. "I'm ready to do my part. But that's the mindset we come into every game. Make sure we estsblish the run game."

Is Brett Favre Helping or Hurting the Vikings' Chances at a Super Bowl?

Vikings PhotosOnce a trendy Super Bowl pick, the Minnesota Vikings have fallen to 1-3 through the first five weeks of the NFL season. So who's to blame for their poor start?



It's not the defense, which has kept the Vikings in every game.



It's not Adrian Peterson, who leads the league with 120 rush yards per game.



It's not that the Vikings don't have a plethora of elite playmaking pass catchers, because they do.



So what is it?!



It's got to be Brett Favre. Through four games Favre has thrown seven interceptions, tying the number he had all of last season and putting him on pace for 28 picks in 2010.



Even when he's not soft-tossing interceptions to the defense, Brett has looked much less accurate this season than in 2009. Multiple times Favre missed opportunities to make easy throws to a single-covered Randy Moss against the Jets. In the fourth quarter with the game on the line, No. 4 overthrew Percy Harvin, who was wide open after badly beating Darrelle Revis.



Brett Favre doesn't seem capable of making all the throws Brett Favre makes. He is no longer the three-time MVP, but a subpar 41-year-old quarterback with a bum ankle and tendinitis in his elbow.



Not only is Favre hurting the Vikings on the gridiron, he is becoming a problem off it too. With a pending NFL investigation and a possible suspension facing Favre, there is a lot more chatter going on in the locker room than just how they are going to turn their disappointing season around.



So what should the Vikings do? Tarvaris Jackson has shown nothing to prove he should replace Brett. Joe Webb is an exciting prospect who could add another dimension to the offense, but he is very raw as a rookie and shouldn't be handed the keys to a team with Super Bowl aspirations.



Even if there was an alternative option, how would it look if the Vikings replaced the man they fell over themselves to get back?



The Vikings may have no other choice than to hope Brett shakes off the rust and finds some of his old magic that made Minnesota fall in love with him a year ago.

Moss Might Help Run As Much As Pass

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Randy Moss Threat  Takes Men Out Of The Box

Adrian Peterson said the acquisition of Randy Moss made him feel like a kid in a candy store. He also compared it to Christmas.







His excitement is understandable. While most of the trade talk has focused on Moss' potential impact on the Vikings struggling pass game, the threat of his big-play capability and downfield speed also should loosen things up for Peterson and the running game.







"That was my initial thought when I heard the news," Peterson said. "It's going to make the offense more dynamic, definitely give us that deep threat and open up the run game."







Both Peterson and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell used the phrase "pick your poison" to describe how Moss' presence could affect defensive game plans.







Opponents routinely have committed an extra defender or two near the line to clog up running lanes and neutralize Peterson. That plan doesn't always work, and it's not an every-down strategy, but it's certainly made life difficult for Peterson and the offensive line.







The Vikings said they believe the addition of Moss will force defenses to play more honestly and not have their safeties help as much in run support.







"It definitely loosens things up," Peterson said. "When you got a player like Randy Moss, it loosens it up even more. When I heard the news I was excited and overwhelmed. I'm just looking forward to taking that first snap with him."







It's not as if Peterson has struggled in the absence of a consistent passing game. The Vikings rank fifth in the NFL in rushing. Peterson is tied for third in rushing with 392 yards, is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and had a career-long 80-yard touchdown run against Detroit.







But with Sidney Rice sidelined after having hip surgery, the Vikings had virtually no vertical passing game the first three games, or even the threat of one. They are ranked 24th in passing, and their longest pass play is 33 yards.

Vikings Return To Work

It will begin a bit of an odd week because the Vikings do not play again until Monday night, Oct. 11 when they will face the New York Jets at the New Meadowlands Stadium. It's likely the Vikings will have a light workout Tuesday and then take Wednesday off before getting back into the full swing of things on Thursday.



Vikings executives, coaches and players should be in a very good mood when we see them next. The reason is simple: If this bye week did anything for them it should have made them feel good about their chances despite a 1-2 start.



The NFL likes to paint itself as a league that is all about parity but the word it should be using is mediocrity. Right now, the NFC North might be the best example of this, although the NFC East and NFC West also are in the running.



Chicago and Green Bay are off to 3-1 starts, but the success that appears to indicate will be temporary unless those clubs start to play much better football.



Last Monday night, the Bears beat the Packers, 20-17, thanks in large part to the fact Green Bay was assessed a franchise-record 18 penalties. It also didn't hurt Chicago that without Ryan Grant the Packers didn't have any real threat of a run game.



On Sunday, the Packers held on to beat the Lions, 28-26, at Lambeau Field, extending Detroit's winless streak on the road to 23 games. Even Packers coach Mike McCarthy admitted afterward it didn't feel like his team was 3-1 and had just won a game.



Imagine then how the Bears felt later Sunday when they lost, 17-3, to the Giants at the New Meadowlands. The Bears gave up nine first-half sacks, lost starting quarterback Jay Cutler to a concussion and were limited to 110 total yards. The Giants finished with 10 sacks and also chased veteran backup quarterback Todd Collins (stinger) from the game in the fourth quarter.



None of this was very pleasing to watch, but the Vikings have to know if they can get their vertical passing game going they have an excellent chance of getting right back in this thing.

Is It 2001 All Over Again?

 We remember. It was a season coming off of one of the harshest losses the Minnesota Vikings had ever suffered in an NFC Championship. Beaten on the road after a decisive win at home in the previous round. Fans who disliked the coach for his lack of playoff success grew. But their was hope by many as the team had a new quarterback who had played very well in getting the team to the NFC Championship.








And Then, Tragedy Struck.







A player would not be available to start the season. It would be a blow to the offense, who had counted on this player for its' success. They would start poorly without him, losing their first two games. Then they would win one they should at home to be 1-2 in the standings. A tough schedule lay ahead.







The 2010 Minnesota Vikings you say?







Or maybe the 2001-02 Vikings. Back then it was Daunte Culpepper, fresh off his successful first year with the team. The much maligned Denny Green had disappointed in the playoffs again. The New York Giants disposed of Minnesota 41-0 at the end. During the following training camp, Korey Stringer died tragically, and the team was scrambling to replace such an important member of the offense.







They started the season by losing 24-13 to Carolina. The Panthers would win only one game the entire year. Next, Minnesota lost 17-10 to Chicago. After a 31-26 win over Tampa Bay, they stood at 1-2. The city was nervous. Things were not clicking like they had in the previous year. And they were right to be nervous. Minnesota would make it to 3-3, and then proceed to lose nine of the last eleven games, to finish at 5-11.







Dennis Green was let go before the end of the year. He had not done enough with the talent he was given. That final year, Minnesota had an exceptionally poor Draft, with Michael Bennnett being the top selection with the 27th pick. Mike Tice replaced Green in the final game, and would go on to a mediocre few years before being let go. Both Green Bay and Chicago had success in those years while Minnesota floundered.







Flash forward.







The loss of Sidney Rice just before the season has had an obvious impact on Minnesota. The Vikings are 29th in total offense. Brett Favre, who tore the league up in 2009, has a 60.4 passer rating (that's really low). He has only 597 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games. Despite the number two rusher in the NFL, the offense is just not getting it done.







Brad Childress is a coach walking the plank, so to speak. He has had improved success in regular season each year, but little in the playoffs. Minnesota fans are not happy with just getting there. Childress has been given plenty of talent to obtain that elusive first Super Bowl. Positive drafts have yielded players like Adrian Peterson, Rice, Percy Harvin and much more. Acquisitions, like Favre and Steve Hutchinson, have given the team elite offensive talent. Their are many veterans on the defense who are candidates for All-Pro consideration this year. It is now or never for the coach.







Some are hoping that Childress' trend of improvement every year will also apply to the playoffs. Most fans would concede that the Vikings certainly had the team necessary to win one. The humbling of the Cowboys and the strong effort in New Orleans demonstrated just that. But this year's slow start, or more specifically, the loss to the Dolphins at home, has fans on edge. The Childress haters are convinced we have no chance. The realists see a very tough schedule in the upcoming weeks and more talent on both the Bears and Packers than a true Viking fan could stand. And the optimist correctly assessing available talent, is sure that this is still the strongest team in the NFC North. They remember that this team was a play (or huddle) away from winning the NFC Championship. And they have faith that Brett Favre will begin to return to last year's form.







We did experience 2001. It was not fun. This season's start has been somewhat depressing, given the talent and expectation coming into the opener in New Orleans. If it is to be deja vous all over again, it will probably come at the expense of a head coach. Many would like that. Sacrifice a season to get a new head coach. But what if the next one is Mike Tice? I think we should just start winning again with the same coach.







We will find out soon after the bye week is over.

Vikings Defense Epitomizing Consistency Early In 2010 Season

EJ Henderson

Antoine Winfield



Ray Edwards



Jared Allen

Williams Wall

With so many different variables leading to ebbs and flows in the Vikings aerial attack along with other personnel finding a rhythm early in the regular season, the Purple are welcoming the bye week to rest and gain extra preparation for a Week 5 Monday night matchup against the New York Jets at the New Meadowlands Stadium.



Yes, the Vikings have shown irregularities throughout the first 3 weeks. But one factor that’s been a consistent force is the play of the defense. Through 3 weeks the Vikings defense ranks in the top 5 in points (3rd-12.5 PPG) and yards allowed (5th-276.3 YPG) and also boasts an 8th-ranked passing (189.0 YPG) and rushing (87.3 YPG) defense.



The Purple have prided themselves on a dominant run defense ever since Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress’ arrival in 2006. The Lions were the latest team to face this staunch unit, as they were held to a season-low 63 yards rushing in last Sunday’s contest – nearly 100 yards less than Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s total for the game (160).



As the run defense continues its stout performance, so has the pass rush.



Obtaining such a balanced defense is one of many reasons the Vikings have yet to allow more than 14 points a game this season. Even with CBs Chris Cook and Cedric Griffin out for the first 2 weeks, the Vikings pass defense allowed only 237 yards against the pass-heavy Saints team in Week 1 and a dismal 114 yards in Week 2 against the Dolphins.



During the Vikings 24-10 victory over the Lions on Sunday at Mall of America Field, the Vikings secondary welcomed back both Cook and Griffin in route to allowing 237 passing yards. After Lions star rookie RB Jahvid Best left the game with a toe injury, Detroit turned one-dimensional with its aerial attack and the Vikings quickly adjusted. Lions QB Shaun Hill was held to a 69.6 passer rating and was intercepted by LB Ben Leber and CB Antoine Winfield late in the game, putting a halt to any sort of comeback.



As the Vikings defense continues to show its consistency in both the run and pass rush, it’s well known that everyone needs to stay confident in their specific role with 4 straight games against talented offenses – at New York, home against the Dallas Cowboys and then 2 road games against the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.



“Going into the bye week you need to get more confidence going,” Vikings LB Chad Greenway told reporters after Sunday’s victory over the Lions. “Whatever injuries we do have, the bye week will take care of them and now we know the stretch we have coming out of the bye so we need to get at least mentally healthy.”

Minnesota Prepares For Detroit

Brett Better Come Looking To Go Big Early

Childress Better Call Some Passing Plays In The Redzone!

Allen Could Use A Game Like Last Game

Peterson Needs To Keep On Trucking

The Vikings will spend this week telling everyone within earshot that they aren’t taking the Detroit Lions lightly. They will talk about how their games against the Lions are always hard fought and that winning in the NFC North is never easy.





It will be in their best interest if they listen to the lip service they deliver to the media.



After losing to New Orleans and Miami, the Vikings can ill afford to give anything less than a full effort on Sunday when they play host to Detroit. The Vikings have dominated this series—they haven’t lost to the Lions at home since 1997 - but given the struggles of this offense to score points nothing is an automatic.




That could be especially true because the Lions seem to be gaining confidence.




Detroit is 0-2 but has played close games against Chicago (19-14) and Philadelphia (35-32). The additions of defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch(notes), defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh(notes) and running back Jahvid Best(notes) among others has improved the roster of a team that hasn’t won on the road in 21 games.





The Vikings, meanwhile, are a team that started this season as one of the favorites in the NFC after losing in overtime to the Saints in the conference championship game last season.





The issue is that so far the Vikings have only 19 points and after a magical season in 2009, Brett Favre(notes) has thrown four interceptions and only one touchdown.





The feeling among many Vikings observers is the soon-to-be 41-year-old isn’t having as much fun as he did a year ago—Favre’s birthday is Oct. 10—and one big reason is the absence of wide receiver Sidney Rice(notes) for at least half the season.





Rice, who presented Favre with a 6-foot-4 target, had hip surgery in August. Bernard Berrian(notes) was expected to pick up much of the slack in Rice’s absence but that hasn’t been the case.





Berrian, who is 6-foot-1 and known more for his speed than his physical play, has only three receptions for 27 yards in two games. Two passes thrown his way Sunday ended up being intercepted.





The Vikings have explored trading for suspended San Diego wide receiver Vincent Jackson(notes) but that fell through. They did make a move to sign 6-foot-4 Hank Baskett(notes) on Wednesday after he was released by Philadelphia.





“I think Bernard’s heart is in the right place,” Favre said of Berrian. “I believe in my mind he did all he could do. If I felt otherwise, I wouldn’t throw it to him. We go to bat with who we’ve got, me included. That’s the way it is. I’m not going to look out to my left or look out to my right and say, ‘I’m not going to throw it over there.’ I’m not going to play that way.”





Coach Brad Childress and Berrian both swear the receiver is on the same page with Favre and that chemistry isn’t an issue. If that is the case, Favre, Berrian and several of their teammates are going to need to take a big step forward on Sunday and prove they have solved some of their issues.





The Vikings will have a bye week following that game, so a failure to right the ship could make for a miserable off week in Minnesota.





Series History: 98th meeting. Vikings lead regular-season series, 65-30-2, and are 18-2 in the past 20 games against Detroit. The Vikings have won the past 12 games against the Lions at the Metrodome. Minnesota is 14-3 in its last 17 regular-season home games. Vikings coach Brad Childress is 7-1 against the Lions.





NOTES, QUOTES



• DE Jared Allen(notes) has 30 sacks with Minnesota, a team record for the most in the first three seasons as a Viking.





• QB Brett Favre needs two touchdown passes to become the first player in NFL history to throw for 500 and 275 yards passing to become the first to throw for 70,000 yards.





• Favre broke the NFL record for most consecutive starts in his first game against Detroit as a member of the Vikings on Sept. 20, 2009. Favre threw two touchdown passes and had a 115.3 passer rating in a 27-13 victory.





• RB Adrian Peterson ran for 133 yards against the Lions on Nov. 15, 2009, making him the seventh Viking to reach 4,000 rushing yards in a career. That set a team record and tied for fourth in NFL history for fewest games needed to reach 4,000.





• DT Kevin Williams(notes) had a career-high four sacks against Detroit on Oct. 12, 2008, which tied for the most in a single game in 2008 and ranks tied for second in franchise history.





• LB Chad Greenway(notes) intercepted two passes off Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford(notes) and returned them for a combined 49 yards when the Vikings played the Lions on Sept. 20, 2009. That performance earned Greenway NFC Player of the Week honors.





• The Vikings have swept the Lions eight times since 2000 and Detroit hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown on the Vikings in the past six meetings, dating to Oct. 8, 2006.





• The Vikings have an all-time record of 165-123-5 against the NFC North and are 91-54-1 in home games against the division.





By The Numbers: 65—Victories by the Vikings over the Lions, their most against any opponent.





Quote To Note: “Have I seen improvement from Game 1 to Game 2? I did. Just want to keep being incremental. There’s always something we can get better on and those guys take it to heart in there, and I know they will.”—Coach Brad Childress talking about the Vikings’ offense and if he saw improvement from the first game to the second.





STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL



The Vikings attempted to add San Diego holdout wide receiver Vincent Jackson in a trade but were unable to work an agreement by the 4 p.m. deadline on Wednesday.





The 6-5 Jackson, who would have been eligible to play for the Vikings on Oct. 17, would have provided Brett Favre with the exact type of big target he is missing in Sidney Rice. Rice is expected to miss half the season after having hip surgery last month.





The Vikings did add a big receiver, signing 6-4 Hank Baskett. Baskett was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.





Baskett is far from Jackson’s equal in terms of ability but the fifth-year player will present another option and also provides some insurance. Percy Harvin(notes) has been slowed by a strained right hip and also is battling another round of migraine headaches. Bernard Berrian also landed on the injury report Wednesday because of a knee issue.





That means the Vikings’ healthy receivers are Baskett, Greg Camarillo(notes) and Greg Lewis(notes).





Player Notes





• WR Bernard Berrian was limited in practice Wednesday because of a knee injury.





• CB Chris Cook(notes), who is recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee, was able to take part in all of practice Wednesday and might be able to make his NFL debut Sunday.





• CB Cedric Griffin(notes), who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament suffered in last season’s NFC title game, is doing limited work in practice but probably will sit out again Sunday against Detroit. Griffin, like Cook, should return after the bye.





• WR Percy Harvin aggravated a hip strain last Sunday against the Dolphins and also has had another recurrence of migraine headaches. He did not practice Wednesday.





• DT Jimmy Kennedy(notes) (knee) is back practicing for the second consecutive week and took part in all drills Wednesday. Kennedy hasn’t played in the first two games.





• LB Ben Leber(notes) was limited Wednesday because of a back injury but said he will be good to go on Sunday.





• OT Bryant McKinnie(notes) (dislocated finger) did not miss any of practice Wednesday and played in last Sunday’s game despite the injury.





• QB Brett Favre continues to be listed on the injury report because of soreness in his surgically repaired ankle but he hasn’t missed any practice time.





• C John Sullivan(notes) (calf) did not miss any practice time Wednesday.





Game Plan: The Vikings will look to get their offense on track against a Lions defense that has given up 54 points in its first two games, including 35 in a loss last Sunday to Philadelphia.





The Vikings offensive line figures to have its hands full with rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and end Kyle Vanden Bosch putting pressure on Brett Favre. Minnesota’s greatest success so far has come on the ground, as Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson is off to a good start.





The Lions are giving up an average of 131.5 yards per game on the ground—27th in the NFL—and Peterson has rushed for 232 yards in two games, putting him third in the league.





Minnesota needs to get quarterback Brett Favre on track. He has thrown only one touchdown and four interceptions and hasn’t developed a rhythm with any of his wide receivers.





This includes Bernard Berrian, who was expected to be Minnesota’s go-to receiver with Sidney Rice sidelined. Berrian has only three receptions for 27 yards.





The Lions defense has given up 304.5 passing yards per game, putting them near the bottom of the league in that category as well.





Defensively, the Vikings surrendered 120 rushing yards to the Dolphins on Sunday. That’s a rarity for one of the better run defense in the NFL. Shaun Hill(notes) is expected to start at quarterback for the Lions in place of the injured Matthew Stafford.





The Vikings defense is going to have to be aware of rookie running back Jahvid Best at all times because of his play-making ability. If wide receiver Nate Burleson(notes) (ankle) is unavailable for the Lions that will take a weapon from a passing attack that also features Calvin Johnson(notes) and Brandon Pettigrew(notes).





Matchups To Watch: Vikings CB Lito Sheppard(notes), who is playing the left corner in the nickel package, vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson, who has caught eight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown this season. The Miami Dolphins had immediate success against the Vikings nickel package last Sunday by going right at Sheppard on the Dolphins’ first play from scrimmage. The result was a 46-yard pass completion from Chad Henne(notes) to 6-foot-4 Brandon Marshall(notes) that set up a touchdown. You think the Lions aren’t going to notice that? Johnson is 6-5 and stands to create trouble for Sheppard or Asher Allen(notes), who is starting at left corner. Sheppard is only 5-10 and Allen is 5-9. Antoine Winfield(notes), the starter at right corner who moves inside in the nickel, also is 5-9 but he is the Vikings’ best cornerback. If Chris Cook (6-2) and Cedric Griffin (6-0) remain out, look for Johnson to be a primary target. Cook could provide some much-needed size against Johnson if he can play.





Vikings LT Bryant McKinnie, who played last week despite a dislocated finger, vs. Lions DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who has 1.5 sacks this season after being signed to a four-year, $26 million free-agent deal this offseason. McKinnie has had issues at times with top-flight defensive ends and he now will be facing Vanden Bosch and Chicago’s Julius Peppers(notes) twice a season. This will be McKinnie’s first test. The key for McKinnie, who is in his ninth season, is simply showing consistency because he has the athletic ability to be a very good player. Vanden Bosch plays with a motor that never quits and will spend the afternoon using a variety of moves to try to get around the 6-8, 335-pound McKinnie.





Injury Impact: Cornerback Chris Cook could make his NFL regular-season debut, but it looks as if Cedric Griffin will remain out until after the bye week. Wide receiver Percy Harvin is dealing with a hip injury and migraines, meaning he could be a long shot to play. Wide receiver Bernard Berrian already is struggling and considering his game is based on speed the last thing he needs is a knee problem.