Minnesota Vikings News And Links, 6/21

Happy last day of the week, and happy first day of Summer, ladies and gentlemen! It's a big day here at your home for Minnesota Vikings coverage, as we formally kick off our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament with a three-way battle for the final spot in the field between tight end Kyle Rudolph, cornerback Ed Sharockman, and tight end Stu Voigt. That will be posted in about an hour with full instructions on making your vote count.

Since the last time we brought you an Open Thread. . .

-I can't say enough good things about Skol Girl's story from yesterday about her family and the help they've received from the U of M Amplatz Children's Hospital. It's not hyperbole for me to say that, in the nearly seven years this site has been online, it might be the best thing that's ever graced its pages.

-We also found a connection between the late James Gandolfini and the Minnesota Vikings.

From some other outposts across the internet. . .

-KARE-11 in Minneapolis has a story about Adam Thielen, the Minnesota native that is living the dream with his favorite football team.

-The St. Paul Pioneer Press takes a look at Harrison Smith.

-Quarterback Christian Ponder does not seem to be terribly worried about the ups and downs of mini-camp.

-One of the strengths that third-year defensive lineman Christian Ballard has going for him is his versatility.

-Former Vikings running back Ted Brown is on his way to the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame. Congratulations to him!

The rules of the Open Thread are the same as always, folks. . .no politics, no religion, no feeding the trolls, and no bad language.

For today's music, I'm breaking theme again. . .yeah, this week's theme didn't work out terribly well. . .to celebrate the first day of summer.

With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open for a Friday, everybody! Be on the lookout for the start of the play-in game in about an hour, and we'll effort to bring you more throughout the course of the day.