Minnesota Vikings News And Links, 8/5

It's the start of a new week, ladies and gentlemen, and we are just days away from the first action for our Minnesota Vikings of the 2013 season. On Friday, they will host the Houston Texans at the Metrodome in the first of their four pre-season contests. It's almost here, folks!

I just want to say that, even though we did hit another traffic milestone over the weekend, what happened on Sunday made me as proud of this community as anything else. As I'm sure you all saw, our own Arif Hasan (who has been providing, bar none, the best coverage of Vikings Training Camp on the interwebs thus far) had run out of funds to be able to stay in Mankato and provide us with that coverage. So, he got the idea to put a call out for funding so that he could continue to stay down there and continue to do that.

It took all of about four hours, but the Daily Norseman community funded the trip. . .and then some. It's truly a testament to what this community has become that you all were not only able to make it happen, but to make it happen as quickly as you did. Thank you to each and every one of you that put a donation forth to allow us to continue providing you with outstanding coverage of this pre-season, as the Vikings have been gracious enough to allow us to cover the whole thing.

Arif will not be in Mankato today, as he has some other things to take care of, but this will be the only day that we're without first-person training camp coverage, and you folks out there are responsible for that.

Otherwise. . .since the last time we brought you an Open Thread. . .

-Kyle found another source of inspiration for his 2013 Vikings predictions. . .of the canine variety.

-Receiver Cris Carter went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. He gave a hell of a speech to commemorate the occasion, too.

-In addition, all of the Training Camp coverage we've brought to you thus far is wrapped up in one easy-to-find package, right here. All of the Open Threads, as well as all of the notebooks and interviews Arif has put together after the first week of action in Mankato.

From some other outposts across the internet. . .

-Cornerback Josh Robinson is looking to replace Antoine Winfield for the Vikings this season.

-Kicker Blair Walsh is looking to avoid the sophomore slump following his outstanding rookie year.

-Matt Kalil has a bit of a weight problem. . .not with losing it, but with gaining it. ("Gee, that must be terrible," said nobody ever.)

-USA Today thinks the Vikings are ready to go deep in 2013.

The rules of the Open Thread are the same as always, ladies and gentlemen. No religion, no politics, don't feed the trolls, and keep the bad language to a minimum/use the spoiler tags if you feel the need to curse.

I was going to go back to another week of Queen songs this week, but someone in one of the Open Threads suggested a fine idea. . .and I can't remember who, so if you'd like to claim credit, feel free to do so. This idea is one that not only brings us some pretty good songs, but also allows us to honor a fine, Minnesota-based product.

Yep, it's Mystery Science Theater 3000 Week, folks. And, here to get us started off the right way, the United Servo Academy Men's Chorus.

Incidentally, for those of you that are fans of the show, the song "Tubular, Boobular Joy" from Season 5 of the show will not be one of our musical selections this week, for obvious reasons.

With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open for Monday, ladies and gentlemen. Remember, there won't be a separate Open Thread for Training Camp today, so this is your discussion hub. Keep your eyes out for a piece we did with the folks from Football Outsiders, as well as the next match-up in our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament, which resumes in about an hour or so.