Let me just preface this by saying that I am a lifelong Packers fan from Appleton, WI, who now lives in the Twin Cities. Since I’ve lived here I’ve learned that watching the Vikings games and rooting for them to lose is almost as fun as watching the Packers. I’ve been keeping up with the Vikings news probably more than most Vikings fan, just so I can have the insider info on our most hated division rivals.

It’s been very interesting, and somewhat laughable as of late in regards to the Vikings news around here. Once DE Jared Allen was signed, suddenly all the local TV stations and newspapers are reporting that the Vikings could possibly make a super bowl run this year. Wow, really? Apparently they have already forgotten about their mostly dreadful 8-8 season last year, that they still don’t have a decent QB, and a delusional coach that said the Vikings offense “kicks ass” right after getting a hefty bludgeoning by the Pack in ’06.

I must admit I was a little shaken by the Jared Allen signing at first. However, by landing the deal a few days before the draft, it allowed all teams in the NFC North division to react by beefing up their O-lines through the draft, which is exactly what they all did. The Lions and the Bears both picked up OT’s in the first round, and the Packers did the same in later rounds.

By making the Jared Allen trade, the Vikings also paid a pretty hefty price. They gave away their 17th overall first-round pick and two third-rounders, ultimately leaving them with only 5 picks this year. Not to mention they are paying the guy $31-74 million.

In my opinion the Vikings and the state of Minnesota are putting too much stock in one guy. I was worried the Minnesota D-line would be hard to defend when they signed Erasmus James, but look how that panned out. Actually, the Vikings have had a lot of talent on their D-line over the last several years, but they just haven’t been as productive as predicted (not that I mind).

The Jared Allen trade could be another Herschel Walker fiasco (which btw is pretty much a swear word around here) in the works. Here’s hoping.

Go Pack!

Kevin the Viking Spy

Chad Johnson wants to leave the Bengals, I think the Packers should pick him up!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3351518&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

I know a lot of people consider CJ to be one of those “problem receivers” like T.O. or Randy Moss, but I think the difference with Chad is that his antics are generally good natured, not harmful to team chemistry. As much as I hate it when players hold out, I think Chad would be a huge asset to the team and the deep threat we need. From what I hear, Rodgers throws the deep ball with more accuracy and finesse than Favre, so this could be a good pairing.

What does everyone else think?

Coach McCarthy got the shaft. In any other season, he would have received coach of the year for bringing the youngest team in the NFL to an unbelievable 13-3 record having arguably one of the league’s most difficult schedules. McCarthy’s constant focus on handling success and stacking successes helped the Packers win more games than anyone would have predicted.

I guess you can’t argue with New England’s perfect season, although it was marred by the cheating scandal, and some controversial help from the referees at the end of their game vs. Baltimore. Coach Belichick certainly did his part to deserve the title as well, however I think McCarthy was more deserving in that he helped his team achieve way more than anyone thought possible.

I had a great respect for New England at the start of this season, but that is all gone now. It’s probably just bitterness, but several things happened that have changed my opinion of them. First it was Randy Moss signing with New England instead of the Packers prior to the start of the season. I didn’t really want Moss in a Packers uniform anyway, but I knew when he signed with New England that they’d be pretty tough to beat. Next Belichick gets rewarded with a huge new contract only days after the “spygate” scandal. Some “fishy” refereeing in their game vs. Baltimore keeps them undefeated. And finally, now it appears as if New England will have the second overall pick in the draft due to a prior trade agreement with San Francisco. It all just seems so unfair, but like I said it’s probably just bitterness.

I would like nothing better than for the Packers to play New England in the super bowl and win. New England is definitely fallible, as they nearly lost 4 games (Indianapolis, Philly, Baltimore, and the NY Giants). Any team that plays them will have to play at the top of their game to beat them, but with the exception of maybe Indianapolis, I think Green Bay is a better team than any of the aforementioned.

Kevin Roth