Vikings' Ship of Fools

Image via WikipediaBefore the National Football League season started, most of the so-called football experts believed that the Minnesota Vikings had enough talent to make a run at the Super Bowl after being one game short the previous year.  Most of the principal players were returning, and quarterback Brett Favre was persuaded to give it one more shot.

Now?  Two months into the season, instead of leading the NFC North division, the Vikings are 2-5 and making the playoffs has become a question mark.  One reason is that the defense is not as good, giving up too many yards and points.  Another is the distractions provided by marquee players owner Zygi Wilf paid a pretty penny to get.

Take Favre, whose body is breaking down as he's turning 41.  He was reluctant to play this season because his ankle was slow to heal after surgery.  The first few games showed not only how unprepared he was after skipping training camp, but also becoming an easy target for opponents' defenses.

After injuring the ankle (again), people urged coach Brad Childress to start Tavaris Jackson in last week's game against the New England Patriots.  But when game time arrived, there was Favre taking the snaps.  He played most of the game until he was knocked out in the jaw and required stitches, which looked a lot worse in TV replays than it really was.

No matter how battered and bruised Favre is, he's always ready to play the following week.  That's an admirable trait in a violent sport, but it could land him in an assisted living facility long before his time.

Off the field, Favre's under investigation by the NFL for allegedly sending lewd pictures and messages to sideline reporter Jenn Sterger when he was with the New York Jets.  Favre has never said anything publicly about this, and neither has Sterger.  But the possibility exists that he could be fined and/or suspended under the league's personal conduct policy.

Then there's Randy Moss, whose second tour of duty with the Vikings lasted four games. 

Moss, who was supposed to be the final piece to a championship puzzle, instead set a record for quickly wearing out a welcome.  He didn't play hard, at least not to the coaches' satisfaction.  He's fined for not speaking to the media after a game, then interviews himself after the next one, in which he expressed his loyalty to his former Patriots teammates.  He dissed the food being served by a local caterer during a team meal, saying he wouldn't give it to his dog.  Talented player, yes.  Classy individual, no.

For this, the Vikings gave up a third round pick to the Patriots.  Coach Bill Belichick must have been laughing his hoodie off, playing the Vikings for suckers just like the Dallas Cowboys did two decades ago when they gave up Herschel Walker for draft picks that led to Super Bowl championships.

It shouldn't have been a surprise when Childress finally had enough of Moss and got rid of him on waivers.  Moss has since been picked up by the Tennessee Titans.  Let's see how long it takes him to stir things up in Nashville.

Moss' departure could be the beginning if the Vikings don't make the playoffs.  Wilf could decide to clean house and get rid of Favre, Childress and any other underperforming high-priced player.  Leading the league in off-the-field headlines is not the way to win a championship.