Luft’s Locker Room

Archive for February, 2009

And I’m not talking about your taxes or the last election cycle, but this time on the NFL calendar. The Combine is underway, free agency is about to start and the draft is not far behind, so out comes the smoke and mirrors.

This morning we learn that the Vikings may be interested in Michael Vick even though there were no public words stating that. Coach Childress in typical fashion when asked, wouldn’t confirm or deny interest in Vick.

“I really don’t get into hypotheticals because I think there’s too much water that’s got to happen. I’d cross that bridge when I come to it.”

Is there interest? CBS and SI want you to think there is. Do you think the Vikings would actually want him after all he’s done and not been in football?

I think Grant’s Tomb put it best.

When I look back and remember how uptight Vikings fans and the Twin Cities media were over Randy Moss’s transgressions (“My God, he wouldn’t stop for a traffic cop!”), it’s hard to imagine any scenario where Vikings owner Zygi Wilf would bring in the soon-to-be ex-con Vick.

Is this the press making a story out of nothing? Could this be the Vikings trying to mask their true intentions?

Chilly says yesterday that wants somebody to compete with Tarvaris for the starting job. He would even like Gus to be the guy if he is willing to come back, or if not by bringing in somebody else (see above).

“We need to put somebody in place that will push him and compete with him,” Childress said. “I think competition is the nature of the game.”

I can’t disagree with that to a point and have encouraged it with conversations with you, but now wonder if this is part of the psychological warfare, deception and double speak campaign being waged by the Vikes to covertly get the QB they want? If it works then there will be somebody new (Matt Cassel maybe), if not Tarvaris will beat out limited competition and lead the 2009 drive to playoff glory with Brad Childress saying all the right things for public consumption. This isn’t provable until someone opens their mouth later and let’s it slip. This time of year makes you wonder though…

The Vikings want Matt Birk back. Really? It sure didn’t look that way at the end of the season. Again, is this a statement of truth or one motivated by an ulterior motive? Could it be used to get Matty a higher asking price on the free market as a farewell gift of sorts for his fine years of service in the Purple? Could it be a ploy to drop his asking price and show that he is welcome? Or is it just the right thing to say to avoid the PR nightmare over letting a fan loved player walk because he and the head coach were known to butt heads? You tell me.

It is that time of year folks. The fun will be to spot the few truths in the bed of deception. Are you ready for the emotional roller coaster that is just getting rolling as we try to figure out what the future has installed for the 2009 Minnesota Vikings? Enjoy the ride, and like last year, let’s hope it is a good one with Jared Allen type results.