The more I think about it the more I have come to the conclusion that Brad Childress is in do or die mode this year. If the Favre deal blows up I dont see him coming back.

He's 24 and 24 and 0-1 in the playoffs. He knows Favre probably wont play more then one more year so if he doesnt win a SB this year he's done. Even if they got to the playoffs and God forbid won a game Favre wont be coming back.

Why is he willing to risk this whole thing on Favre? IMHO the Wilfs would be more likely to give him some wiggle room with a younger QB.

I think the opposite. Ziggy wants to win now and a young QB is not the answer. He needs to sell tickets and get support for a new stadium.

That might be true but how many teams have built solid programs year in and year out by bringing in a guy who will be 40 in October and probably wont play next year and has had late season meltdowns the last few years save for 2007?

Good analysis. Los Angeles (ex) Vikings, anyone?

Your post is accurate in the area you address- success "year in and year out". The NFL is a "this year" league. Kurt Warner is a good example. Jeff Garcia is still hanging around. Favre fits the dynamic. Get us a SB (or at least some post-season wins this season), and we'll build for the future later. Usually, there is a "window of opportunity", and you either take advantage of it, or pass them up. The Vikings are at that crossroads. Two years down the road? That's ancient history in the NFL.

I seriously doubt whether Rosenfels or Jackson could lead the Vikings to a SB, or deep playoff run. I think Rosencratz and Guildenstern would have equal chances of doing that. Childress is on the hot seat, and he needs to do something to help him win NOW. The idea of building a dynasty in this era (except for NE- which has dramatic changeovers each year) is mistaken, IMO. Win this year, and let next year take care of itself. Would the franchise fire a coach that just won the SB? Unlikely. Besides, if Favre had been playing in the friendly confines of a dome in the NFL championship two years ago, in a venue where he didn't have to contend with the elements, he very well might have played better, and put that team into the SB.

The Vikes are so desperate for some exposure I think they would sign Favre if he was 60 years old. They couldn't even sell out their home playoff game last year that almost got blacked out on TV. Favre on their team will sell out every game and also get them some more prime time games with the flex scheduling. IMO the Vikings going after Favre has more to do with business than need.

I know the Vikings HOPE that with Favre on their team, they will sell out every game, however, I know a few Vikings fans, and they are very split on Favre going there. Some will NOT go to games, just because Favre is there. He has been the enemy for 16 years, and now some of them will have a hard time supporting him. Other fans just don't think he's that good anymore.

But, as I step back and look at this here is what I see...

Beginning of the season - Lots of people attending out of curiosity sake, ie. How will Favre play?

Middle of season - Here is where it gets dicey. There will probably be fans if Favre and/or Vikings are playing well, they may struggle to get attendence if Favre struggles.

End of season - Probably lots more people attending. If Favre has been playing well, it will draw people for the playoff push. If Favre is playing terrible, it may also draw fans, but for the wrong reasons. There are enough Viking fans that hate Childress and Favre, that if Favre tanks, they will relish the thought of going to games just to boo him and Childress and tear Favre down further. Heck, there may even be a bunch of Packer fans there just to rip on Favre and the Vikings as their ship sinks together.

Hmm, this may be one event that could bring the Packer and Viking fans together....

Why would we want that???

Go Pack!!

Ah, that'll never happen.

I'm not saying we want that. I guess that's another reason for Favre NOT to go to the Vikings and just stay on his lawnmower.

I think the Vikes are looking for a one year fix or at least boost to tickets, merchandising etc. On the field the impact of Favre would be nominal, but they are a pretty good team.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? But they're dead!

I agree though, that Childress is doing his best to try and win, and win now. What's interesting to me, though, are the teams who don't reek of desperation in the off-season, and end up sneaking up on people...and advancing much farther than most would've predicted. Pittsburgh was certainly respectable, but I doubt many thought they'd be Super Bowl champions. Certainly no one saw Arizona coming. And the Giants the year before? They turned everything around mid-season.

I guess I just think that when a team makes desperate moves to win immediately, they often have too many holes to fill. I don't see the Vikes doing it, with or without Favre.

Right On. There is no team more desperate for some media attention than the Vikings right now. They couldn't even muster up any after winning the NFC North last year and getting in the playoffs. Heck, if Favre turns them down they would probably sign Dan Marino if he was willing to come out of retirement, just for the media attention alone. Ziggy is fighting an uphill battle to keep the team there, and the temporary Favre craze will buy the Vikes a couple of years in Minny even if he only plays a partial season this year.

With or without Favre I don't see minnesota winning the Super Bowl. Let's remember, they are, after all the minnesota vikings! I maintain they took away their home field advantage when they built the metro-tent, and in so doing angered the Football Gods...

( - : #

Yes, and thank you for bringing up the most important bit of this whole saga: the football gods.

The football gods reward loyalty and integrity. Both the Packers and Favre were punished last season for their roles in the nastiness last summer. However this year, with the Packers holding themselves above the fray, the punishment bestowed on Favre for his continued nose thumbing at the football gods promises to be timely and absolute.

Plus he'd be playing in that damn dome.

Yes and he gives them a better chance to win than anything they currently have.

I don't think Favre alone is enough to push them over the top though. It would/will be interesting to see him throwing to that corp of WR''s though. If Harvin pans out, he could be a real threat.

Damn right, and I would be one of them. Favre or no Favre, I'd be rooting for the purple ship to sink as fast as possible. Anyone wearing purple is fair game for booing! Let the season begin!!

So whats next for the Queen's...could it be the Vick watch?

From a Star Tribune online poll titled "Who should be the Viking's QB Now?"
Tarvaris Jackson 14.6 %
Sage Rosenfels 33.4 %
John David Booty 8.3 %
Michael Vick 31.9 %
Someone else 11.6 %

with about 17000 votes.

I'm still surprised at fan's love affairs with the athletic ability of Vick. He's not a very accurate QB. In this instance, I'd take a QB who knows the system and has shown some upside. Vikings should stick with Tavaris Jackson. They just need him to be good enough, while letting the running game open things up.

I somehow can't help but compare Childress with Dan Devine, both are and were extremely desperate for a QB. Childress has more player talent than Devine. Vick I do not see as their SB answer, Vick is not a weapon through the air. the queens have a ground attack. Vick in many ways reminds me of Francis only Vick doesn't run around like a chicken with his head cut off. Well I wish the queens the worst as I always will