Vikings – Page 273 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Hold Cards Now on Stadium

Posted on October 24, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

What a mess! Back in the 1990s a Vikings executive told me Governor Arne Carlson informed franchise leaders to be patient until the Twins need for a new stadium could be resolved.

Guess what? Three governors later and the Vikings are still waiting. During the last 15 years, new stadiums for the Twins and Gophers football were approved while the Vikings unsuccessfully courted host communities to help them.

Get the idea the Vikings upper management and ownership is frustrated. Bet your autographed Adrian Peterson jersey on that!

Now if you don’t care whether the Vikings stay in Minnesota and you oppose public funding for a new stadium, then God bless you and the Constitution. You have plenty of company, but understand the majority of state political leaders are likely to disagree with you. If they don’t today, sometime soon they will.

The Vikings will remain in Minnesota.

Franchise owners and the NFL office in New York have leverage like never before with the Minnesota stadium issue. The whole mess is reaching critical mass. Not only have the Vikings been knocking on the doors of governors and host communities for more than a decade, but their lease in the Metrodome expires at season’s end and Los Angeles is flirting with the franchise.

It’s a new Minnesota stadium or bust mentality that the Vikings and NFL are presenting. That view threatens a cultural entity even more important to some Minnesotans than our 10,000 lakes.

No wonder Governor Mark Dayton is scrambling to call a special legislative session before Thanksgiving. He wants no repeat of 60 years ago when Los Angeles became the new home of the Minneapolis Lakers.

Dayton might be able to convince enough legislators to approve a new stadium in the coming weeks, but even if he has to kick the can a little further down the road that’s not likely to send the moving vans to Winter Park before New Year’s Day.

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A.P. in L.A. Might be California Dreamin’ But…

Posted on September 16, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

With a Beverly Hills smile and Hall of Fame promise, Adrian Peterson would be a welcome addition to the Hollywood scene in southern California. The odds seem unlikely the Vikings will relocate to Los Angeles anytime soon, but an expiring lease at Mall of America Field and new stadium uncertainty in Minnesota encourages all kinds of speculation about the franchise’s future.

Peterson’s reputation as the NFL’s best running back and his personal charm would cast him perfectly as a celebrity in Los Angeles. Southern California thrives on the star system and has been entertained by some of the classic names in sports through the years, from Sandy Koufax to Kobe Bryant.

An L.A. NFL team would need a box office draw and even on a bad team Peterson will command adulation from fans and sponsors. A superstar like Peterson means butts in the seats and eyeballs on TV.

That’s part of the reason committing Peterson to a seven year contract that practically guarantees the 26-year-old running back will play his entire career in Purple was a smart move by the Vikings. So, too, was signing linebacker Chad Greenway, 28, to a new deal. Owner Zygi Wilf has committed over $140 million in contract money to Peterson and Greenway.

Savvy business decisions. The Vikings, 12-4 two years ago, appear to be rebuilding. Keeping Greenway and Peterson around sends a message the Vikings aren’t interested in fire sales. Just the contrary. Ownership wants to win and build a Super Bowl contender.

That’s a good mantra to send fans, business supporters and legislative backers for a new stadium. But the commitment to Greenway and Peterson, both of whom agreed to deals just last week, brings clout beyond the Minnesota constituency.

If the Wilf family wants to sell or relocate the team, player personnel assets add to value. Peterson and Greenway won’t have their names on the company year-end financial statements but their presence on the roster has value in determining the worth of this franchise ─ wherever it’s located.

Could it be L.A.? The NFL doesn’t like relocating existing franchises, and Los Angeles has been without a team since 1995 when the Rams left for St. Louis. Through the years it almost seems like a “flavor of the month” has been the norm regarding new stadium ideas in southern California. And still there’s nothing finalized on a new venue for a Los Angeles team.

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Purple Ouch: Game Stats and Score

Posted on September 12, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Seen through a Purple lens the post-game numbers were ugly.

In their season opening game in San Diego yesterday, the Vikings had 10 first downs and 28 yards passing. The Chargers had 31 first downs and 330 passing yards.

The worst numbers of all: Chargers 24 points, Vikings 17.

The Vikings’ offense was a second half no-show after Minnesota held a 17-7 halftime lead. Quarterback Donovan McNabb and his receivers never established a rhythm including late in the game when they trailed 24-17. When the Vikings had their last possession of the game with about five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, McNabb and friends went three and out.

Coach Leslie Frazier and coordinator Bill Musgrave took a conservative approach most of the day, seemingly trying to win the game against the favored Chargers with minimal offensive mistakes and a stout defense. Except for Adrian Peterson, who rushed 16 times for 98 yards including a 46 yard first half run, there wasn’t much life to the offense.

Even the team’s second best playmaker, receiver Percy Harvin, could only produce two receptions for seven yards. Harvin, though, returned the game’s opening kickoff 103 yards, providing an initial spark for a team that could be points challenged this season with an iffy offensive line, so-so receivers and a 34-year-old quarterback who is trying to become the Comeback Kid after last season’s disappointing season in Washington, D.C.

The Vikings’ defense, despite missing three starters from last year’s line, deserved better yesterday. The defense gave up one short touchdown to the Chargers in the first quarter after McNabb “completed” a pass to San Diego linebacker Saun Phillips at the Minnesota six yard line. In the second half the defense was on the field too long and although Vikings’ end Jared Allen killed one San Diego drive with a nifty running interception, the Chargers and quarterback Phillip Rivers established a rhythm and produced points.

McNabb and the Vikings had very little of each yesterday.

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