Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 8/12

My apologies for the lack of updates yesterday. The only story we've added since the last Open Thread is that of Matt Cassel being named the starter for this Saturday's pre-season contest against the Arizona Cardinals.

From some other places across the internet. . .

-Wide receiver Adam Thielen is making his push to be included on the 53-man roster.

-The Vikings have been short-handed at safety for much of this pre-season, but they should start getting some folks back this week.

-Vikings Territory takes a look at defensive tackie Isame Faciane, a guy that a lot of folks might not know much about.

I'd also like to address something from one of our FanPosts. One of our users. . .and I won't mention his name here, because feelings and stuff. . .thought he would express the sentiment that quarterback Christian Ponder deserved to suffer a "career ending head injury." (Said comment, and any references to it, have since been deleted.) I handled the situation very poorly, on many levels, and embarrassingly so. I managed to let my emotions get the best of me rather than handling the situation in a rational manner. For that, once again, I apologize.

However, let me take a moment to say this. . .and I shouldn't really have to say this to a group of adults, and I'm so sure of that fact that I'm damn sure not going to repeat it.

As of right now, 7 AM Central time on 12 August 2014, if you express a desire to see any member of the Minnesota Vikings injured, you are done on this website.

There will be no "warnings." There will be no "strikes." There will simply be (to borrow Ted's phrase) eff you and eff the horse you rode in on. Short of having caught someone in flagrante with your significant other, what the hell reason do you have to wish something like that on someone? (And even then. . .come on, really?)

And, quite frankly, I have exactly zero effs to give on the matter. You like the idea of members of the Minnesota Vikings getting injured? Go cheer for the [EFF THOSE GUYS] or something.

We clear? Awesome. Moving on.

Other than that, the rules for the Open Thread are the same. . .no politics, no religion, no feeding of the trolls, keep the language relatively clean (with spoiler tags, if necessary), and keep the GIFs relatively work-safe.

Here's today's video. . .the world lost a true comedic legend last night with the passing of Robin Williams. But, even though he was known for comedy, this is from my favorite role of his (and one that he, quite frankly, got jobbed out of an Oscar for).

With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open for this Tuesday, ladies and gentlemen. Hopefully we'll have a lot more for you later on.