Add to favorites Examiner Bio

Vikings fans live in the land of limbo

Well, Minnesotans, after finally getting a taste of closure in the senatorial quagmire (whether they liked how it tasted or not) are now hungry for more. Here's what remains to be finalized for Vikings fans living in the land of limbo:

Will Brett Favre become a Viking?

This story has the best chance of finalizing the quickest--as it is, many already believe it has happened. The latest headlines to trickle out on this story are that Favre's doctor has confirmed that he operated on Favre's tendon, said that Favre wants to play again and that he wants to play for the Vikings. In addition, today we see that Favre and his wife Deanna put down a deposit on a condo in Edina, after a few weeks of speculation that the first couple of Hattiesburg had been home shopping in Minnesota. If anyone still thinks this signing isn't going to happen, they need to take off their green and gold blinders.

Will the Vikings sign Antoine Winfield to an extension?

News this morning arose that Winfield is getting a little frustrated with the mixed messages being sent by the Vikings organization in regard to his contract extension. Those Vikings fans who love to watch him play are getting to the same point. According to Antoine, the Vikings tell him "he's our guy" and then when he checks with his agent, the two parties remain as far as away from a deal as they ever have been. Is it because the Vikings need to maneuver cap room to sign Favre? Reports have said that the Favre contract is already done, so what is the holdup? Is Winfield asking for too many years for an aging cornerback? Perhaps, but he has plenty of value to the organization beyond this season, so meet him somewhere in the middle and get it done. Is this part of the negotiation game that causes the player to get so fed up with it that by the time the end of the season rolls around and they become a free agent they move on for the same amount of money elsewhere and the organization looks like they did everything they could? I hope not. We already lost Matt Birk that way, and there is no one ready to step in to replace Winfield's level of ability. Should Winfield honor the contract he signed years ago and is required to play under? Yes, he should and I believe he will (he's a classy pro), but I would feel better if he was locked up for a few more years.

Will the Williams Wall come tumbling down?

Little news lately on this front, but the StarCaps saga continues with some judge, somewhere weighing some decision from some lawsuit regarding someone's rights in this issue that could have far-reaching impact on some others in some sports and on some jobs at some time. Ultimately, Kevin and Pat Williams could still get off without a suspension for using a supplement that contained a substance banned by the NFL. Or they could still get suspended. Please decide already. You have Favre fatigue? I am Williams Wall weary. I realize this is an important issue, and certainly the decision will impact the Vikings season, as well, but all this legal wrangling has left me just aching for the bottom-line. Let's get 'er done.

Will the curious case of Percy Harvin make life with Randy Moss seem like a walk in the park?

No player has benefitted more from the aforementioned distractions than one Percy Harvin, rookie WR/RB for the Vikings. If Favre-palooza were not taking place, there would be a lot more attention, hand-wringing and head-scratching going on over Harvin. In the short time during his association with the NFL and the Purple, Harvin has failed a drug test, missed an OTA because of symptoms of dehydration and had to leave the NFL rookie symposium because he was sick.

Now we hear that he may have to take the symposium next season. For my money, he should take a crash course in the symposium right now, perhaps get it online. Any way possible--he could use the information. Even Moss didn't start sending fear into the minds of Vikings fans for his off-the-field escapades until he first put fear into the defensive backs around the NFL on the field. We saw flashes of ability and excitement out of Harvin this spring, but they have been overshadowed by these unique scenarios. Granted, the failed drug test is the biggest concern (illness can happen to anyone and the timing was unfortunately very poor for Harvin). But it would best for the Vikings, their prized rookie and the Vikings fans, for Harvin to sign a contract, come to town and really start working on his preparation for the season. And make sure that he has his own personal physician--that might put a lot of minds at ease.