For the life of me, I can't hear that song anymore without immediately thinking of the Chris Farley/Patrick Swayze "Chippendales Tryout" sketch from Saturday Night Live.
So, just from looking around the 'net, here are some of the more interesting things that involve the beloved Purple. But first off, a tip of the hat to WCG, who pointed out to me that there has, indeed, already been an occurrence of a team having both the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year in the same season. It happened back in 1967, the first year that such awards were handed out. The team that accomplished it? None other than our opponents this coming Sunday, the Detroit Lions. RB Mel Farr and CB Lem Barney won the awards that season, and no team has won both awards since then. I'll keep any comments on whether or not Barney could still be the #1 CB in Detroit to myself. (But he totally could be.)
-According to Darren Sharper, in an interview with El Sid, the Vikings' defense might be even better this year than they were last year under Mike Tomlin.
-Patrick Reusse, who seems to be in an uncharacteristically happy mood lately, points out the obvious about how the Vikings now look pretty smart in the aftermath of the 2003 NFL Draft.
That's why we can be certain of this seven months in advance: When the time arrives for the Vikings to make their first-round choice, Berman will offer a joke about the team getting the selection in on time, and the gentlemen gathered around him will hoot as if this is original material.
We're now 4½ years, an owner, a coach and two personnel directors removed from the Vikings making a late but very astute choice in the '03 first round, and Berman and his stooges still act as though this should be recalled as an embarrassment for the organization.
Yep. . .Kevin Williams was a great draft pick by the Vikings. But the fools at the East Coast Sports Programming Network will, again, make jokes at the Vikings' expense about the pick. One of the many reason's why ESPN is becoming increasingly irrelevant. By contrast, the folks at the NFL Network didn't so much as mention the 2003 Draft when it came time for the Vikings to make their selection. If only we could get Captain Hairdo onto the NFL Network, I'd have no reason at all to even flip back and forth from one coverage of the draft to the other.
The more hilarious part of the whole Kevin Williams thing that ESPN never mentions? That because his team refused to complete their trade with the Vikings that could have netted them Byron Leftwich, alleged offensive genius Brian Billick later traded Baltimore's first-round pick in the 2004 draft for the right to move up and draft Kyle Boller. Yes. . .someone actually traded UP to draft Kyle Boller. Now, in the words of a famous American philosopher. . .I don't care who you are, that's funny right there.
-The Vikings had nominees for the Week 1 NFC Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams players of the Week, but came up empty in all 3 categories. 2007 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson was among the group that lost the Offensive Player of the Week award to Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, DT Kevin Williams and CB Antoine Winfield were in the running for the Defensive Player of the Week award that went to Detroit DE DeWayne White, and P Chris Kluwe was a nominee for the Special Teams Player of the Week that went to Green Bay placekicker Mason Crosby.
Incidentally, about Kluwe. . .and I didn't even think of this until it was brought up. . .he punted five times against Atlanta, and all five times placed the ball inside the 20-yard line. The Falcons started out at their own 11, 10, 4, 17, and 12-yard lines following Kluwe punts on Sunday.
That's all for right now, folks. Continue enjoying your evening, and I should have something of interest put up here either late tonight or sometime tomorrow.