So I left tire tracks in the snow yesterday as I led my team out next time will be footprints.
-paralyzed Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand
Minnesota Vikings tight end Jim Kleinsasser announced that he intends to retire at the end of this season after 13 years. He deserves better than to go out on a season such as this. I remember reading a scouting report on Kleinsasser when he was coming out of North Dakota that stated if he gets his hands on you its over. You usually read that sort of thing about a lineman. He was a fantastic blocker. One of the greatest blocking tight ends ever to play the game. Adrian Peterson calls him a beast. Kleinsasser wasn't used much in the passing game that last half of his career. That was due more to his importance in blocking schemes than his pass catching ability. I miss watching him rumble down the field with the ball. Defensive backs had no clue as to how to bring him to the ground. Now, I'll miss all aspects of his game. Jim Kleinsasser could have played football in any era. His #40 is the first Vikings jersey I ever owned.
Three high schools from Ouachita Parish, in northern Louisiana, won state football championships this year. West Monroe (Class 5A), Neville (4A) and Ouachita Christian (1A). There's a lot of football talent in Louisiana. Marshall Faulk, the Manning brothers and Reggie Wayne quickly come to mind. Right now there appears to be a lot in one corner of the state.
I hope the days of coaching hires like Buddy Teevens and Tom Holmoe are over in the Pac-12. A third of the schools were looking for new coaches. All of the hires have been impressive. The offensive innovators entering the conference must have defensive coordinators up all night. Rich Rodriguez (Arizona), Todd Graham (Arizona State), Jim Mora Jr (UCLA) and Mike Leach (Washington State) certainly bring some attention to the west. What makes me nervous is the offensive impact. Cal had better be able to run all day.
It feels strange to have a full slate of games on a Saturday. The NFL has played games on Christmas before. I'm not sure why they moved the games this year but I think I like it. Maybe I'll feel differently after the Vikings game.
All season there's been criticism of the Indianapolis Colts for being so ill prepared to carry on without their starting quarterback. The Chicago Bears have been fairly pathetic without Jay Cutler. I haven't seen much criticism thrown their way. Its not unheard of for a team to suffer greatly when they lose their starting quarterback.
Hey, the Colts are on a winning streak.
Speaking of starting quarterbacks, there's been a lot of drooling over Drew Brees' passing against the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday. Brees is a terrific quarterback but the Vikings secondary is a disaster. In the nickel, which is essentially the base defense against the pass happy Saints, the Vikings had Benny Sapp, Marcus Sherels and rookie Brandon Burton at corner. Jamarca Sanford and rookie Mistral Raymond at safety. Come on!
The Colts have played several teams tough. They did so again Thursday against the Houston Texans but they had a bunch of help from the officials.
I'm not sure what Texans rookie JJ Watt did to the officials but he couldn't catch a break. They probably would have flagged him for standing wrong on the sideline. The penalties are ridiculous in the NFL right now.
The NFL needs more players like Arian Foster.
Kudos to USC quarterback Matt Barkley for deciding to be a college student for another year. USC could have a fierce time next year.
Fred Zamberletti was the Vikings trainer from 1961-98. He's remained with the team as a consultant and team historian. He's not feeling well and will miss today's game against the Washington Redskins. It will be the first Vikings game that he's ever missed. Get well soon, Fred.
I guess its a sign of the fantasy football and Madden video game era that fans cheer for a higher draft pick over a hard fought win. Pathetic.
Here's hoping that the Vikings get their third win at the site of Leslie Frazier's first win as the team's head coach.
Go Vikings!!!!
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