Religious Dilemna

In the event you missed this week, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the controversial bill passed by the Arizona legislature that would have given businesses, and citizens, of Arizona the ability to run their businesses based on their religious beliefs. The bill was dubbed the "Anti-Gay" Bill by Progressives and backed up by "Moderate" Republicans as an affront to Civil Liberties of same-sex couples in Arizona. What I am curious is if anyone read the bill as I doubt those with the largest megaphones did.

Here is the Bill: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/51leg/2r/bills/sb1062p.pdf

While the originals of the bill stem from recent business owners being sued over not photographing same-sex marriages, baking cakes for same-sex weddings and providing flowers for same-sex ceremonies. I am a small business owner. As a small business owner I wouldn't turn away anyone as long as the payment method for the services I render is done with legally obtain dollars.

Then again its my business and my choice as an owner to make that decision. If another business owner wants to alienate a segment of the population because of a moral, religious or any objection then so be it. If their business fails, its on that business owner. The florist that was sued in Washington over not providing flowers for a same-sex marriage because she didn't feel Jesus would approve then so be it. AGAIN it is her business.

SB 1062 in Arizona wasn't giving religious freedom to just Catholics, Lutherans, Methodist, or any other Christian sect. It was giving religious freedom to ALL religions. 86 large companies, along with the NFL, placed pressure on Gov. Brewer to veto the bill - ironic isn't that the Progressives can't stand Big Business contributing to political campaigns but have no problem when Big Business is backing their cause!

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker was reported to have written a letter to Gov. Brewer saying(http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/25/news/economy/arizona-anti-gay-bill/),"I can assure you that this proposed legislation is causing tremendous concerns for our employees, particularly those who live and work in Arizona." Really? Expanding religious freedom and protecting that religious freedom from lawsuits is creating a concern for employees? The Bill doesn't allow business or institutions from violating the religious freedom of the employee.

Progressives are there for religious freedom for the employee but don't want to give the Mom and Pop business owner the same religious freedom. By not allowing a business owner the ability to run their business aligned with their religious belief but imposes upon that business owner the religious beliefs of their employees and patrons is not equitable in a free society. We all have the Right to exercise our religion without fear of retribution by the government. The fact, as in the case on the above example from Washington, it was the Attorney General that brought suit. Combine that with the Affordable Care Act, religious freedoms of the business owner is being trampled upon.

I know I said this above but it needs repeating - Being a small business owner, I don't understand why anyone would turn away patrons/clients in so far as the money used to pay for services is obtained legally. Yet in a free society, that business owner has that choice just as everyone has the choice of not patronizing that business.

Suicide is never the Answer!

Yesterday a tragic event took place in the NFL. A linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs took the life of his girlfriend then Jovan Belcher went to the practice facility and took his own life. Now, as I watch the pregame programming on ESPN, CBS and Fox a lot has been said about how tragic it is that former Chiefs linebacker took his own life. The only person that I have heard to this point that actually got the story into perspective was on ESPN when former Denver Bronco Tom Jackson articulated that former Chiefs linebacker killed someone and that due to his murder and death that there will be a little girl without her mom and dad.

Tom Jackson hit the nail on the head of where my frustration has been with the coverage of this event. Apparently, the NFL gave the Chiefs until 9:30 pm last night to decide if they wanted to play this game in light of recent events. Coach Romeo and the Chiefs GM were eye witnesses to the former Chiefs linebacker's cowardly act as he walked away from them and shot himself as the police were rolling up on the scene. The focus of this story shouldn't be on the former Chiefs linebacker; rather it should be focused on Kasandra Perkins, 22 year old, that had her life ended prematurely.

The two, the former Chiefs linebacker and Perkins, had a three month old girl. THREE months old. Imagine the questions this little girl is going to have as she grows up without her parents. I am sure more information will come out in the coming days to soften the suicide of the former Chiefs linebacker as that is the nature of our society. The focus should be on the fact that suicide is never the answer. Take a moment today to do a person inventory and realize that life is short enough. Talk to your kids, your family and your friends today about the importance of life and that suicide doesn't impact the coward that takes their own life as it does those that are left to deal with it. My prayers go out to Perkins family and to Kasandra's three month old daughter.

In full disclosure on why I view suicide in the nature that I do. I once was in Romeo's shoes.

NFL - Referee Experiment is Over!!!

Fans, coaches, players and anyone else can stop their dribble and light their heads out of their Cheerios this morning as the NFL and striking referees have agreed on a deal. While the referee union won't ratify the agreement til Friday the regular referees will be back on the field this evening for the Browns/Ravens game.

For the past two days all we heard about was the blown calls made in the final drive of the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers game. Did the replacement referees blow three critical calls in the final drive? Sure. Just because we will be getting back the regular referees doesn't mean calls will be blown as well. Maybe not as blatant but I will argue, as will others, that the referees blew the call when Charles Woodsen lit up Tom Brady in the playoffs and forced a fumble that later became known as the "Tuck" rule. Even our favorite referee Ed Hochuli blew the call that cost the Denver Broncos a win a few years back. Or not to mention the botched coin flip in the Dallas Cowboy game.

Remember folks there is a reason why we have instant reply and the regular referees were no quick users of this process either. I just wonder if this now will result in more penalties called on the Oakland Raiders. While it is good to see the regular referees back in action don't be fooled that they are immune to blown calls.

As an aside..now the rest of the NFL knows how Raider fans felt with the "tuck" rule!

Super Bowl Sunday

The day every gridiron fan looks forward to; Super Bowl Sunday. This year it will be in Indianapolis featuring the New England Patriots and New York Giants. A few subplots here but nothing really outlandish. Over the past few decades we have seen more attention paid to the commercials than the game itself. I'd admit that since the Raiders are not playing, I will be watching for the commercials too. Madonna will be the headliner at halftime and she did earlier this week promise to keep her clothes on; phew!

Well with only a few hours to go before kickoff it is time to make a prediction - New York Giants 35 New England Patriots 20. The turning point will be a Double P pancake of Brady that Brady's wife will feel in the stands leading to a fumble and touchdown! Finally revenge of the tuck rule!

Taxpayer Support of Stadiums

A few weeks back Gov. Dayton announced that increasing taxes will not be an option to help fund a new Vikings stadium. Recently, a number of options have been floated that include a heavy gamble proceed angle. For more than three decades tribal casinos have held a monopoly on gaming in Minnesota. With that monopoly tribes in Minnesota have been able to improve their reservations - granted some have done better than others. Today the Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/133748223.html, had an article talking about the new proposed ideas of a casino downtown and allowing the two race tracks in Minnesota to have slots with the revenue going to pay for sport stadiums and school funding.

Personally I don't care if Minnesota keeps the Vikings but I do care on how the new stadium is funded. For years I thought the NFL and the players association missed the boat by not requiring that 10% of all TV revenues be put in a kitty for updates to stadiums. That being said, if a new Vikings stadium is the catalyst to breaking the tribal gaming monopoly I am all for it.

I also found this article, of all places, on Politico - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68160.html - to which I think it is about time as well. Taxpayers for years have subsidized professional stadiums and when teams cannot sell out they have not been able to watch the team they subsidized per NFL rules. While I can understand why the NFL has a rule that they want the stadium sold out because that is where they get a lot of revenue. At the same time, I wonder how much TV revenue is lost by not showing the local game. I say that as long as taxpayers subsidize the stadiums then no more blackouts.

NFL: The new slavemaster?

During a recent interview in reaction to the lockout by NFL owners and the decertification of the players union Adrian Peterson made this statement: "It's modern-day slavery, you know? People kind of laugh at that, but there are people working at regular jobs who get treated the same way, too." Really? Making millions of dollars to play a kids game equates to images of poor working conditions, whippings, lynchings, family upheaval and not getting paid for work performed?

I understand that game has evolved and the average lifespan in the NFL is 5 years thus forcing players to ensure they can earn as much as possible in a very short time frame. Yes, nearly every owner in the league is white. I struggle with AP's assessment of being an NFL player equating to being a slave. It is not like AP, or any other NFL player, is forced to play football or play in the NFL for that matter. If one does not like the working conditions and is unable to influence change then try the CFL.

Perhaps I give this topic too much ink with all the rest that is going on in the world but it really struck me that AP would say something like that.

Outdoor Football

Watching tonights football game between the Vikings and the Bears was enjoyable for many reasons. The biggest reason is that Minnesota football is back outside. I recall growing up going to the Met and watching the Viking games on television when they played like Purple People Eaters. Let's face it, the Dome has made the Vikings soft and the fan base even softer.

The snow, freezing drizzle and the announcement of the 50 greatest Vikings of all time is just what Bud Grant ordered. I am just glad that they didn't drop Grant at halftime. I know there will be a push for a new Vikings stadium and the Dome will be the catalyst. If Vikings are serious about a new stadium then let it be an open air stadium. Although 54,000 Viking fans could not fill the TCF Bank Stadium tonight; granted weather may have played a factor.

Call your local legislator and make the case for a new stadium by using proceeds from a Racino.

The Year of the Raven

After a nice long weekend and reading that the private sector is creating jobs while good ole big government is not perhaps the man in charge will realize his economic philosophy is not working. That being said the NFL starts another season on Thursday when the Minnesota Vikings travel to New Orleans to take on the defending Super Bowl champs. So what do people think?

Let's start over in the AFC East where Owens bolted from the Bills for greener pastures in Cincinnati. Tom Brady will try to make it a go this year and Randy Moss is hungry for a Super Bowl ring. With all that said, no sophomore slump will take place in New York as the Jets will roar and win the AFC East.

Pittsburgh Steelers will have a tough time this year taking the division let alone making the playoffs but having Big Ben's suspension reduced by 2 games could help. The loss of Leftwhich will really hurt them. The Cleveland Browns will be the doormat of the league this year especially after losing their rookie running-back to ACL tear. The division will come down to a re-vamped Ravens O and Bengals. Carson Palmer has the weapons to have a Peyton Manning style season but is he the same quarterback before the knee injury suffered in the playoffs? Even with Ed Reed out the Ravens will take the division as the O will get the D 20-24 pts a game.

AFC South will continue to be dominated by the Colts. The Jags will fair well as they always play the Colts tough but it won't be enough to overcome Manning. The Texans could make things interesting if Foster can improve on Slaton's numbers and Walter and Owens come back in prime form from season ending injuries. The Titans may figure out a way to get into the playoffs as a Wild Card team but losing some keep members on D may prevent that.

The AFC West had a clear cut winner in the Chargers before Vincent Jackson held out. Without Jackson the Chargers offense may struggle this season as they will have a rookie running back carrying the load for the first time in 10 seasons. The Raiders showed promise in the pre-season but a lot of answers were still left unanswered. If the O can get on track then they may break .500 for the first time since their Super Bowl appearance. The Broncos are not going anywhere this year and may be the doormat of this division.

Divisional Winners – Chargers, Colts, Ravens, and Jets with the Titans and Bengals making the Wild Card. The Ravens will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

The NFC won't be so much a crap shoot as each division has a clear winner with few dark horses.

The Cowboys are the class of the NFC East with the Giants a close second. McNabb going to an aging Redskins team will do little but get them a high draft pick next season. The Eagles are in rebuilding mold with a young QB and a second-year back.

The NFC North goes to the Packers. Rodgers has looked near MVP like this pre-season and with another year under his belt in the O; watch out. The Vikings will go as far as Favre goes which may be only until Thursday. The Bears could be the most interesting as Martz takes over the O. The Lions are one year away from actually competing for the division.

New Orleans Saints won't experience the Super Bowl hangover that so many previous winners have. Brees comes out slinging with 4 TD's against the Vikings on Thursday night. The Falcons will give them a run for their money but in the end the Saints D wins out. Panthers and Buccaneers are both in re-building mode and will not factor this year.

With the changes in the desert and Alex Smith finally getting back to back years with the same O Coordinator, the 49ers are the front runner in the NFC West. The Rams will rely on overused Jackson to shoulder the load as the rookie attempts to learn under fire. The Seahawks will battle the Browns all season for the overall number one pick.

NFC Divisional Winners – 49ers, Saints, Packers, and Cowboys with the Vikings (if Favre holds up) and the Giants rounding out the playoff picture.

It will be the Packers going to the Super Bowl. Once at the Super Bowl the Ravens will eke out a last second win as Ed Reed picks off Rodgers bringing back memories of the INT return for a TD by the Raiders when they defeated the Vikings in Super Bowl XI.

Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys dance today for the right to play the New Orleans Saints

Special Sunday edition of the Hamburg Post!!!!

 

In just a few hours the fate of Minnesotans will start as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Dallas Cowboys. It will be a good game to watch from a fan standpoint of the NFL but may be a bit nerve wrecking for Viking fans. The Cowboys are riding high on a four-game winning streak which contains wins over New Orleans, Washington, and Philadelphia twice while the Vikings come in losers of 3 of their last 5. Many are saying that the Vikings have righted the ship with the scoring down in the second half of the Bears game and the dismantling of a Giants team that quit playing in week 14 of the season. The big advantage the Vikings have is they are playing at home and they defended their turf this season very well with an 8-0 record. The Cowboys finally won a playoff game last week in convincing fashion over the Eagles. It was the first win by the Cowboys in the playoffs in 12 years.

The big question for Cowboy fans is if that win over the Eagles was fluke or something of better things to come. Personally I think the win took place because Romo didn't have any blonde waiting in the stands for him. I wonder if the Viking front office asked for blonde celebrities to show up today. Probably the most striking thing about the Viking season this year is the lack of production from Adrian Peterson. Yes, AP did average 4.4 yards and amassed 1,383 yards on the ground but both of those numbers are down significantly from last year. AP has even seen less carries this year as well. To compound that, AP, outside of the Giants game, has not averaged more than 4.0 yards per rush since the Lions game back in week 10. Why is that? The key to victory is AP. I understand that Favre was brought in here to lead the Vikings to the promise land but the guy is 40 years old and in the twilight of his career.

Now, Favre may bring some hope but he has never beaten the Cowboys in the playoffs. Favre is 0-3 against the Cowboys. The Cowboys lead the playoff series 4-2. Only time will tell if Favre can erase the donut hole or if Romo will implode as he has done in previous playoff games. The game is slotted for a noon start here in Minnesota. Should be a fun day of football with the Jets taking on the Chargers later today. Another caveat as we approach game time, history has shown that at least one home team during divisional playoff weekend has lost their game. I do not see the Chargers losing to the Jets. Guess we will see if tradition holds or if it gets bucked. Let's play some football!!!!

Vikings success could raise your taxes

I know that Viking fans has longed for the day that their beloved team would be good enough to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season but it may have come at the worst possible time for Minnesota taxpayers. With the economy still running near the cliff of insanity, unemployment high, and a mounting debt in Washington D.C., taxpayers – not just in Minnesota – ought to be worried. The 9-1 start by the Vikings is the best in recent memory and they do look like a team that can compete for the NFC title. Along with that is the fact that the lease the Viking has with the Metrodome runs out at the end of the 2011 season. Zigi Wilf and his associates have already made it clear that staying the Dome, as is, is not an option.

While Zigi may say he wants to keep the Vikings in Minnesota, let's face it, Zigi is a business man first. Right now there is a group in Los Angeles that is courting the NFL for a franchise. At last look the mock up the proposed stadium had Vikings colors. I am not saying; rather just saying. Anyone that has owned a business near a stadium will attest that having a professional sports team nearby boost the bottom line. In a time where people are struggling, I can see some Minnesota Legislators making that argument when proposing a new stadium for the Vikings. At the same time, Zigi will play the move card at some point during the discussion. Actually, I think he already has without even saying it by saying that a lease extension is a non-starter.

Are taxpayers ready for a Legislative session that discusses raising of taxes to provide funds for a new Vikings stadium? Let's face it Favre cannot play quarterback forever and soon the Vikings will be turned back over to T-Jack. What then? Will Viking fans continue to support the team with sellouts if the team stumbles in a couple of years? I doubt it. Don't get me wrong, the notion of the Vikings playing in any other state is insane. Then again I do identify more with the Los Angeles Lakers than their former home in Minnesota. Now if the Vikings go on to win the Super Bowl imagine the leverage it will give Zigi and the organization to strap the Minnesotan taxpayer over the barrel.

Or is there another way to fund a stadium? Does the State Legislature have the guts to take on a powerful lobby group and risk the loss of a key political donor to keep the Vikings in Minnesota? The donor and lobby group I refer to is the Native American lobby. The notion of a Racino has been floated around for several years and each year it gets voted down. Now, if the proceeds were to save the Vikings – what warm-blooded Minnesota State Legislature would vote against that? Especially if Favre delivers the Lombardi trophy. Or will the taxpayers of Minnesota be saddled with another heavy handed tax to provide another wealthy businessman a place to house his pet project?

NFL Sunday is back!!!!!!

Yesterday the National Football League (NFL), yes they had a Thursday night game, kicked off the season with some exciting games. Even though the Vikings were trailing at half, they were able to come out in the second half and put 24 points on the board. While Favre didn't put up huge numbers, Adrian Peterson showed that the extra pounds put on over the off season will not slow him down or effect his running. Peterson scored three times, including one 64-yarder that was benefited by at least three miss-tackles, and rushed for 180 yards. The team to beat in the National Football Conference (NFC) will not be the Vikings or the Giants it will be the New Orleans Saints. Granted they played the hapless Lions on Sunday.

As long as the Saints can keep Drew Brees healthy their shot at taking the NFC title will be firmly planted. Brees hooked up for six touchdowns and 358 yards against the Lions. Fantasy football owners are smiling this morning by that performance. Good thing for Direct TV and their NFL package as it enabled me to see the incredible pass reception and touchdown by Brandon Stockley who rumbled 87-yards to put the Broncos over the Bengals. For those that missed it or didn't see the reply the pass brought back memories of Franco Harris catching a ricochet pass for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. Just when Bengal fans thought their D had stopped the Broncos and sealed victory the tipped ball found its way into the hands of a Bronco.

Although I am in the lead in one of my fantasy football leagues, looks like I may win in all my leagues this week too, the Houston Texans offence really let me and other fantasy football owners down yesterday. Nearly every fantasy football rag and website projected a breakout season for the Texan offense. Now the Texans were facing a Rex Ryan Defense that has a knack of shutting down high potent offenses. Thankfully for one of my fantasy football teams I had Matt Ryan to use this week instead of Matt Schaub.

In another upset the Arizona Cardinals appear to have fallen into the Super Bowl loser hangover category. Neither Fitzgerald nor Boldin had a catch for the most of the first half and the player with the most catches was running back Hightower. San Francisco Giants do not have a stout defense but one would not have noticed that as they put the clamps on the Cardinals offense. The day ended with an exciting game between the Bears and Packers.

Jay Cutler did his best effort to give the game to the Packers and while the Packers did finally pull ahead when Rodgers found Jennings the score should have been much worse. The Packers did not make the most of the charity of Cutler which could prove troublesome down the road when they face more potent offenses. Tonight football fans get two Monday night games with New England/Buffalo and San Diego/Oakland. The games will prove important to many fantasy owners with studs like Rivers, L.T., T.O., Brady, and Moss playing tonight. On a personal note, I will be up late tonight watching my beloved Raiders try to recapture the "Just Win Baby" mystique against the Chargers.

While I am optimistic that the Raiders will score more points than last year, I am a realist to understand that if the defense is not able to stop the run the season will be another long one. At the end of the season last year the Raiders showed signs of major improvement under Tom Cable. Hopefully they will continue that tonight against the Dolts (Chargers). I will be rooting with reserved optimism tonight. At the end of the day the NFL is here and the season is underway!!!!!

The Favre Circus has landed

Well the years, months, and days of speculation have ended for Viking fans as Brett Favre is at Winter Park in a red #4 jersey. The circus has finally come to town. The road has been a long one, even taking a detour to New York for a year, to obtain the missing link the Vikings needed to be a contender. To gauge the impact that Favre will have on the success of the Vikings is still unknown but the impact on the local economy is already evident.

Within hours of the announcement 2,500 season tickets and 8,000 single tickets were sold. Star Tribune reported a spike in traffic of their website from the average 100,000 hits per day to over a million hits as the news broke. Favre #4 jerseys are sure to be a hot retail item as well that will assist local stores suffering from the recession.

Zigi Wilf gave Favre a two-year deal worth $25M. Favre will see $12M this year and $13M next season. Intrigue continues as the Vikings most likely will not carry four quarterbacks for the season. Both Jackson and Rosenfels have been reported to demanding a trade if Favre became a Viking. Both quarterbacks will have to wait though. Favre is 39 years old and will turn 40 turning the football season that combined with his shoulder and arm issues may force the Vikings to keep four quarterbacks.

Neither Jackson nor Rosenfels looked overly impressive during the first preseason game. Rosenthal did have decent numbers but it was against scrubs. Jackson on the other hand was completely horrible. Taking the two of their performance into consideration, shock should not be the order of the day.

In questions from the media, Jackson and Rosenfels tried to play off the signing by attempting the high road. “It’s something that wasn’t a total shock. Obviously this had been three months in the ongoing sort of thing. So for me personally this wasn’t what I was hoping for,” said Rosenfels in reaction to Favre showing up at Winter Park. While Rosenfels has it right that it wasn’t a total shock, his timeline suffers. The deal to bring Favre goes back over a year when Favre announced his retirement from the Packers only later to change his mind; thus being traded to the Jets.
Jackson responded to the Favre intrusion by saying, “I really don’t have a reaction. I’m just taking it day by day right now.” The only day by day action that Jackson will be taking is how to hold the clipboard or get the Gatorade for his elder. The potential biggest loser in all this is John David Booty.

John David Booty is still green, per NFL standards, and has been regulated to throwing a collection of stiffs since joining the NFL. Booty did score a few dollars I am sure for giving Favre #4 and taking #9. At the end of the day, Booty may be the happiest though. If the rumors are true about Jackson and Rosenfels demanding trades if Favre is signed, Booty may find himself the #2 based on attitude alone. Then again Coach Childress has a hard on for Jackson and by trading him or letting him go would be admission of poor judgment.

Now that the circus is done, the question remaining is how far will the Vikings go? The speculation in Viking faithful heads has to be similar to those purchasing lottery tickets today for the Powerball; if I win what will I do? Well the Vikings appeared to have “won”.

Michael Vick: Rehabilated?

Yesterday NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Michael Vick is free to re-join the NFL but will not be able to play, potentially, until week 6. In Goodell’s letter to Vick, Goodell wrote, “I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around, and that you intend to be a positive role model for others. I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands. Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited. I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you.”

Vick, who spent 18 months in prison for running a dog fighting ring, is free to sign with any team that will have him. In a statement released by Vick’s agent, Joel Segal wrote, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Commissioner Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League. I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.” While Vick is correct that playing in the NFL is not a right, I do not understand where it is a privilege. Granted his words were chosen carefully to appease Goodell and other detractors.

Playing in the NFL is not a privilege either nor is playing professionally in any sport. One gains access to the profession level in their sport by dedication and hard work. Granted some players, i.e. Brian Griese and Chris Simms, get their chance to play because of their namesake but the vast majority of players in the NFL are there because of their talents. By saying it’s a privilege equates to saying ability and talent is a privilege as well. If that is the case then we diminish all the hard work and dedication young men and women put in to achieve their goals and aspirations.

While Vick does face an uphill battle, it may have more to do with the change in the role of the quarterback than with his abilities and past. The era of running quarterbacks is in its twilight. A different role may be more apt for Vick as the running back in the “Wildcat” offense. Last year the Baltimore Ravens used Troy Smith, at times, in the “Wildcat” offense of scheme. Teams that use the “Wildcat” offense may enlist Vick’s skills more so than teams that do not.

Our prison system is established to rehabilitate those that are incarcerated within. That being said, the assumption is that Vick has learned from his past transgressions and is set to move forward by becoming a model citizen. Unfortunately Vick’s actions and the organization that signs him will be put under a microscope by the media and groups within greater society.

The only way for Vick to prove he is rehabilitated and reflected on the circumstances that landed him in prison will only gain clarity as time progresses. Vick can volunteer for PETA or the Animal Humane Society and put out public announcements on the evils of dog fighting but will it be enough to display how effective his time in prison was? No, it will be through actions, private actions, which will be the ultimate factor to give teeth to his words.

Vick needs to do his part in society as well society needs to do their part. Society needs to forgive, not forget, Vick for his past transgressions in order to move forward. By forgiving, a basic Christian tenet, Vick society assists in the healing process. Based on Vick’s words he has learned and it is time for society to give him that opportunity. The question now is which team will take the chance on Vick and the media frenzy that is sure to follow.

Favre Flu displaces Swine Flu in Minnesota

A day after Trent Dilfer reported receiving a text message from Brett Favre on whether he will return to the NFL in 2009 the “NO” appears, at least right now, to be a maybe. Coach Brad Childress will be meeting with the ageless veteran Favre at an undisclosed location later in the week according to the pundits on ESPN. The Favre fever has temporarily replaces Swing Flu in Minnesota.

Many pundits feel the Vikings are a quarterback away from a Super Bowl Champion. Now, the brain trust went out and signed Sage Rosenfels to come in and compete with Tarvaris Jackson. If the Vikings wanted an older quarterback why not go after someone like Garcia (who has signed with the Raiders)? Favre broke down as the season wore on while Garcia, and others, remained stout as the season wore on.

Granted the signing of Brett Favre will increase ticket sales and get more national television coverage. What happens after 2009? Will Favre be willing to come in and teach Jackson or will the blinders be on? I know many bleeding purple are foaming at the mouth as the rumors swirl about Favre wearing a purple 4. Buyers beware with Favre. Now if Percy Harvin can hook the hold man up with some good pain killers, then the Vikings decision to move forward with Favre signing may give them the upper hand in the NFC.

I understand that Viking fans want to win the big game after four gut wrenching chances and a missed field goal in the NFC Championship game, but at what cost? Adding Favre could mean adding John Madden. While, being a loyal Raider fan, I acknowledge the wealth of knowledge that Madden has stored away in his cranium, but are Viking fans prepared to hear Madden’s man-crush of Favre. The Madden cruiser will become a mainstay at Winter Park. Watch out Paul Allen!!!!

Favre is no doubt a Hall of Fame quarterback and a proven winner. With all that in play, the Vikings are best to not go down this road. If Childress does decide to bring in Favre, I will, like the rest of America, sit back and watch the circus that will take place. Not to mention the divorce rate increase between Minnesota and Wisconsin football fans.

Draft Day in the NFL

What better way to wake up this morning then to a chilly morning as the NFL draft is set to take place. Unfortunately the draft does not start until 3 pm today. That didn’t stop the Detroit Lions to solidify their number one draft pick. Surprise, surprise, surprise the Detroit Lions did not take a wide receiver. Instead they signed Matt Stafford to a 6-year deal worth $78M. As long as Detroit doesn’t pull a Mike Tice, the St. Louis Rams are on the clock.

The Raiders will be taken 7th and the Vikqueens will be drafting 22nd in the first round this year. According to mock drafts on cbssportlines.com the consensus pick for the Raiders is Darrius Heyward-Bey while the Vikqueens consensus pick is all over the board but many feel Percy Harvin will be the pick.

The Vikqueens like the Raiders will benefit greatly this year with a playmaker wider receiver. I am just sure how the Raiders can pass on Michael Crabtree and go with Darrius Heyward-Bey. Yes, Darrius Heyward-Bey had speed but he lacks the intangible that Crabtree brings; football savvy.

As they say, the season is not made in the first day but it can be broken.