Game Day Bits

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Last week in Washington, Adrian Peterson noticed a little kid, sporting his jersey, holding up a sign that said "Only thing I want for Christmas is for Adrian Peterson to sign my jersey." The Vikings runningback told the kid that he'd sign it after the game. On the first offensive play of the second half Peterson's knee was torn apart. With everything that had to be going through his head after that injury, Peterson remembered the promise he made to a little kid.

I'm really going to miss Jim Kleinsasser playing football for the Minnesota Vikings. If there was ever a player perfect for football in Minnesota it was Kleinsasser. From his North Dakota roots to his no nonsense game. He would have fit in nicely with those fierce Vikings teams of the late '60s. It was players like Kleinsasser that fellows like Walter Camp had in mind when they developed the game. Just brute, physical power over flash and dazzle.

Green Bay has more wins than all three Florida teams combined.

It was fun watching the fireworks ignited by Washington and Baylor in the Alamo Bowl. 67-56 Baylor. The defenses were pathetic. It's a debate as to whether any was actually played. Some people love games like that but I prefer something a little closer to that 9-6 overtime game between LSU and Alabama. Maybe add a couple of touchdowns. Great defense is fun too.

Rutgers has won five straight bowl games. Longest current streak in the nation.

Since the Vikings will be home for the playoffs quarterback Christian Ponder, center John Sullivan, guard Steve Hutchinson and the freshly retired Jim Kleinsasser will be ice fishing. They'll be in an ice house at Lake of the Woods. That's what 3 or 4 wins get you.

It was cool to see former Vikings runningback Robert Smith on ESPN's college halftime show. Adrian Peterson is, and will remain, fast. Michael Bennett was fast too. Robert Smith was something else. He would just glide. Just glide very fast. It never seemed like his feet ever touched the ground. His speed and big play ability fit perfectly with the explosive Vikings teams of the late '90s. Defenses couldn't concentrate solely on defending Cris Carter, Jake Reed and Randy Moss when Smith could take the ball a long ways at any time. I always wondered about the social interactions between Smith and Moss. Smith considered astrophysics a hobby. I can't imagine Moss caring much about science or politics. As Moss' presence in the Vikings locker room grew, it was time for Smith to leave it. As a football player Smith retired far too early. As a man with other things to do he retired at just the right time. Funny that he's back in football.

I see that Miami Dolphins runningback Reggie Bush gave Segways to his offensive linemen. Maybe its just me but I find 300+ lbs men motoring around on Segways fairly terrifying.

Reggie Bush did have a nice season. He looked more like that excellent USC back than he ever did in New Orleans.

Rex and Rob Ryan are terrific football coaches. Rob is very deserving of a head coaching gig. Rex is deserving of keeping his. That being said, the Ryan brothers really need to shut the hell up. They are doing their teams no favors with their wreckless predictions.

One super thing about the end to the Vikings disappointing 2011 season is the resulting end to the numbing debate as to where they will draft.

For 2012, Cris Carter's long, ridiculous wait for the Hall of Fame had better end in about a month.

Cheers to the teams that keep playing after today.