AngloVike

Anglo's Angle - Superbowl with an * ?

With all the ballyhoo that has going in the last week with all the turmoil amongst our friendly neighbours in Packer land then some of the Purple Faithful have been looking at the possibility of Favre turning out for the Vikes.

However as is apparent by message boards, forums all over the net there is an equally strong voice saying "hell no to that" so lets consider a few points on this. Before doing so let me put down a few statements as a Vikes fan in regard to Favre and the Packers so that I'm not accused as being a Purple fan ranting about an NFL legend.

Firstly we know that he was a good QB in the past and somehow even managed to drag a top season out for his team when least expected last year. Having said that for all his great years in the game he has only one, yes count it one, SB ring to show for a future HoF'er. Admittedly that is one more than any Vikes QB has ever managed  but for all the hype it is the only one that he has. So leaving aside some of the questionable throws that he has made, which has given him the thrown record, it is clear that he is an NFL calibre QB.

So based on the ongoing saga of will the Pack let him go then the media has started to look around for teams that they feel require ( or are desperate ) for a QB of his stature. Also remember that has to be a team that is also has a legitimate shot at the SuperBowl this year - after all you don't want to waste a drop of this talent with a team that is several years off this. Given that criteria then the Vikes spring to mind and consequently many have jumped onto the Bring Brett to Minny bandwagon.

Well sorry to tell that little service doesn't pass through my household and I'll endeavour to explain why. Players come and go to teams as is the nature of the game these days, so the idea having of a QB come from another team if the coaches consider it the last piece in the jigsaw is fine with me. However after the time and energy we as fans have invested in TJ then the moment of truth is at hand and quite frankly he deserves his chance at it. If it works out then we will be set at QB for the forseeable future , if not then it could be our current #4's - Booty - chance to shine and move up.

What do we get if we bring Favre in? assuming the chance arises.   Well we would have a possible chance for long awaited SuperBowl win but by looking at the short term picture. If we did win then Favre would more likely retire - sound familiar? - having gone out on a high. We would then be back to square one in having to develop or obtain a replacement QB with all the problems that go with it and put ourselves out of contention for how long?  If we don't win the SuperBowl, as Favre doesn't guarantee that, we again are looking at QB developing again.

The next point is how bringing Favre in helps team chemistry. He's not been known before to help develop the younger QB's on the roster, so why would he be any different now? So anyone thinking that will help TJ or Booty are way off the mark. He's known first and foremost as a ' me first ' player who looks after #1.. or in his case #4. Again this entire media circus and the associated hype is all down to Favre and his constant craving to have his ego stroked by his adoring fans and media.

So as Vikes fans we need to look and decide if we are that desperate for that first win that we are willing to forgo our dislike of an egotistical player than none have had a good word to say about. We have constantly riled the Packer fans about what a media seeking attention seeker he is and then suddenly, because he may be available, some think we should forget that and embrace him?

Not in my book we don't and not purely for him being a Packer - consider we have Sharper, Longwell and Ferguson and took them on because they would be a plus to the team. Taking Favre on is not going to be a plus despite what people may say.

Last season many were saying that the Pats hould have an * against their SuperBowl record. The question is - based on the man that Favre is and how that goes against what many Vikes fans and players stand for - then is a SuperBowl won with him one that we should mark with an * ?

Anglo's Angle - We Love July !!

Even though it's not part of the season there is one month of the year which is guaranteed to start the purple blood flowing and it has finally come round - welcome July !

Now I know for a lot of people on one side of The Pond that July means Independence Day, Fireworks and BBQ's. Now in my part of the world July brings some slightly different things to look forward to. Firstly my birthday is less than a month away ( cards and presents always welcome ;-) ), secondly Training Camp is starting this month and lastly tickets and flights are booked and sorted for this years trip to the Dome for a game.

Out of the three it's a close call as to which comes top of the list but after much deliberation it has to be the trip. Of course seeing Training Camp starting is a big thing for the team without doubt and the chance to see if we can get answers to the questions that have been posed during the off-season. Will TJ make the step up this season and so secure both his and Childress's future in Minnesota. Just how much of a wrecking crew will the DL become with the addition of Jared Allen?  Can we look forward to seeing the deep pass downfield now that Troy ' hands of stone ' Williamson has gone, knowing that have a chance of the intended receiver catching the blessed thing?

All of those are things which make TC something to look forward to and a sign that the regular season is just around the corner. However I have to say that now that this years trip is now arranged and booked then that is my real countdown timer started as we look forward. Of course we are talking a long countdown, one that even Nasa would struggle to match. The game in question is the SNF game against the Bears which is Thanksgiving Weekend, so we're looking at a 5 month countdown. For those wondering thats approx 153 days or 3672 hours or 220320 minutes or 13219200 seconds .. depending on how you want to clock the time.

So I now have the long wait until that night in November and will be marking the days off on the calendar- MVC calendar of course :-) Between now and then I'll just have to go through TC and seeing all the pics of everyone being there. Then is the absolute torture when the regular season comes and the threads appear in the PP.O forums arranging the various tailgates, even worse are those with the tailgating pics.

Ah the joys of being a Vikes fan overseas - can't beat it despite the distance and the frustrations that go with it.

Skol!