Author: David Shama

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson fumbled two times in the Saints game on Sunday night and probably contributed to a third fumble that was charged to quarterback Brett Favre.  Peterson, who has run for more than 1,300 yards in each of his three NFL seasons, had seven fumbles during the 2009 regular season.

Is his fumbling a serious problem?  “I don’t think you can say it’s a serious problem,” said teammate Ian Johnson.  “I don’t think there’s another human out there that can do most of the stuff he does.  We all have our flaws and I think that’s something that Adrian is going to work on. …The man is ridiculous and he’s just going to keep getting better, and I don’t think this will be any type of problem.”

Johnson, who was a rookie running back on the practice squad this season, said he’s signed a new contract that will have him back with the team when practice starts up again in March.  Johnson also said the possible departure of free agent running back Chester Taylor and the roster spot that could create was a factor in his decision to return here.

The NFL’s sudden death overtime rule is poor policy.  For a league that is a business model for professional sports, it’s difficult to understand why the overtime rule, particularly in the playoffs, doesn’t allow both teams to have possession of the football and the opportunity to score.

It’s amateurish to have a sudden death situation like Sunday night’s overtime game between the Saints and Vikings.  Those teams played 17 games each prior to Sunday night to qualify for the NFC championship game.  Then both teams made big plays to force an overtime that began with a coin flip to determine who receives the ball.  That’s way too much investment to allow a coin flip to play such a major role in determining the outcome of a championship game.

Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell talking about quarterback Brett Favre’s possible retirement: “My best evaluation is that he made up his mind a month ago and he’ll get a little healthier here over the next few weeks and make a decision. … I think it (the decision) will be sooner than later, but I think he will definitely give his body time to heal and recover.”

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams might also retire.  Kevin Williams, the Vikings other starting defensive tackle, said that Pat is his best friend on the team and he will try to persuade him to play another season.  “I’ll probably slip a few calls in there along the way,” Kevin said.  “He’s pretty smart about those things. …He knows his body and his self.  If he feels he can do it, he’ll be back.”

Kevin Williams talking about coming so close to making the Super Bowl, a once in a lifetime experience for most NFL players: “I don’t know if words can explain how terrible you feel afterwards.”

Many fans and media believe the Vikings are a better team than the Saints but Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway didn’t take that position.  “Clearly not,” he said.  “They won the game and that’s how you have to look at it.  You have to give them the credit.”

The January 18 issue of Sports Illustrated included the magazine’s 2010 preseason college football top 10.  Among the teams are three from the Big Ten Conference, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 5 Iowa and No. 10 Wisconsin.  The Gophers will play Ohio State and Iowa at home, with the Wisconsin game in Madison.  The top 10 rankings included No. 1 Alabama and (gulp) No. 2 Boise State.

“Sports Final,” with hosts Dean Dalton and Rod Simons, is now on Sundays from 10 to 10:30 p.m. on Ch. 23.  Dalton, the former Vikings assistant coach, will be in Miami for the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl working for NFL Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Glenda Taylor-Huston, former wife of Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, passed away earlier this week in Egypt.  She was a limited partner in the Timberwolves.  Condolences to family and friends.

Timberwolves No. 1 draft pick Ricky Rubio and his Regal FC Barcelona team begin the playoffs for the Euroleague Championship against Maroussi BC (Greece) on Saturday.  The game will be on NBA TV beginning at noon Minneapolis time.  Barcelona finished the regular season undefeated and is among the favorites to win the title after being a Final Four team in 2009.

A 1,000 pound Brahma bull, in town to promote the “World’s Toughest Rodeo,” will be at the Xcel Energy Center’s gate 1 tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the Wild’s game against the Red Wings.  The rodeo will be Friday-Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.

Even Brett Favre’s courage and passion for football likely won’t be enough to bring him back for a second season with the Vikings.  Favre’s future was a storyline before and after last night’s NFC playoff game in New Orleans against the Saints.

Fox Sports reported before the game that the Vikings quarterback already knows what his decision will be but so far hasn’t announced whether he will retire.  If the Vikings know, they’re not saying.  “Don’t know if it’s his last or night,” said Vikings coach Brad Childress on KFAN Radio after the game.

Certainly Favre must wonder how much more stress and punishment his 40 year old body can endure.  He looked tired late in the season and never tried to deny during the fall that he was taking a beating on Sundays.

Some work days are worse than others, though, and last night he faced a cheap shot bunch from New Orleans that tried to hurt him.  There were blows aimed at Favre’s head and in the second half defensive end Bobby McCray dove at his legs.  The hit resulted in a sprained left ankle that a crippled Favre was able to overcome.

Time and again the Saints hit Favre as the Vikings offensive line failed him.  His protection all season was spotty, but Favre did the best Rocky Balboa imitation seen in the NFL in a long time.

But why continue on?  His family and friends have to fret a little more about his well being with each season.  Favre has had his doubts, too, twice retiring in the past, only to decide he wanted to play on.

Favre added to his legend with a superb season playing for the Vikings.  He performed with precision (the best passer rating of his career in the regular season) and consistency (only seven interceptions in 16 games).  When he wasn’t passing the Vikings to victories, he was wiling them to wins.

In the closing minute of last night’s fourth quarter he rolled right, threw across his body and saw the football intercepted and returned to the Saints’ 48 yard line.  That play ended the Vikings’ opportunity to try a long field goal to break a 28-28 tie.  Favre and the Vikings offense never had the ball again as the Saints won the coin toss to begin overtime, then drove to the Minnesota 22 yard line where Garrett Hartley kicked the field goal that sent New Orleans to the Super Bowl.

A lot of folks will be surprised if the game doesn’t send No. 4 into retirement (permanently).