Minnesota Vikings preview
Minnesota Vikings 2008 Preview ReportJuly 31, 2008
The Minnesota Vikings are taking a vacation in 2008. Their destination: the top of the NFL. It should be a lot of fun. It’s a place they used to travel to fairly often; they maybe even had family over there. But they haven’t been back since 2000 (the last time they posted a double-digit win total).
They’re just getting set to leave. It will be good for them to get away. In recent years, the Vikings have stayed busy at home, bickering with the local government about a new stadium (have you seen the Metrodome? It’s a dump), putting out PR fires (remember the Love Boat scandal? Or the way the Randy Moss/Daunte Culpepper era ended?), and changing coaching staffs (Brad Childress replaced Mike Tice three years ago).
The Vikings pondered the idea of taking a trip last season but ultimately decided that they couldn’t get away (they were 8-6 but lost their last two and missed the postseason). Things have not completely eased up at home––they’re still haggling with the Twin Cities about a new stadium, despite being the lowest revenue-producing franchise in the NFL. And they’ve had an off-the-field problem or two––mainly left tackle Bryant McKinnie. But they feel good enough to sojourn out in 2008.
Owner Zygi Wilf is funding the trip; Childress and front office execs Rick Spielman and Rob Brzezinski are planning it. They’re going all-out. Minnesota is bringing along new defensive end, Jared Allen, who they’ll need in order to get to where they’re going.
