It will come as no surprise to many people that follow the Minnesota Vikings that Sir Francis of Asbury. . .known to most as Fran Tarkenton. . .is still a big fan of the team. How big a fan is he? Well, this video from the St. Paul Pioneer Press will give us a little bit of insight.

Among the declarations that Tarkenton makes in the video are

-He likes Christian Ponder a lot and thinks he's made tremendous strides this off-season (this is something I firmly agree with)

-He expects the Minnesota Vikings to be vastly improved (something else I firmly agree with)

-He thinks that the Vikings are, "at worst," the second-best team in the NFC North

About that last one. . .let me assure you, nobody's glasses are tinged with more purple than mine are. Or, at least, they would be if I wore glasses. But second place in what might be the best division in the NFL is going to be a tall order. Is it doable? Sure, I guess. . .if a lot of things go right for the Vikings (and go wrong for the other teams in the division) and a lot of bounces go Minnesota's way, I suppose it's a possibility. I certainly wouldn't bank on it or anything. Once again we will invoke the spirit of Lloyd Christmas by telling you that, indeed, we're saying there's a chance.

It appears that the Pioneer Press is going to be doing these videos with Tarkenton every week, so if you're a Vikings fan, it's one more thing to keep an eye out for.