In a way, that is, if you’ve forgotten, Brett Favre ignited a controversy. The timing of all the friction is unnecessary for a team attempting to erase any flukes and illusions. But everybody knows the Minnesota Vikings are mired in self-destruction, if the timeless interruption plays a role in the playoffs. What seems to be a minor issue, can jeopardize the rest of their season season.
Earlier this week, the Vikings were headline news and the epicenter of a nonsensical letdown. Once again, the annoyance of Favre grasped the center of attention, stealing much of the spotlight. For much of the week he acted like an infant, behaving selfishly when coach Brad Childress clumsily tried removing Favre from the game at Carolina, at a moment when the Vikings led by a point. That led to a 19-point loss to the Panthers, followed by Favre’s sound off during a press conference.
Ever since, we’ve wondered and speculated about the relationship between Favre and Childress, a holocaust that blinded triumph. And ever since the news-draining episode surfaced, regarding an unsteady relationship, the Vikings are seemingly nearing the end of a conceivable journey. Unless the Vikings somehow elude the likelihood of becoming one-and-done victims in the postseason, and dismiss a dreadful ruckus, a season of glory can transform into an indelible year.
For now, morale has diminished ambition, constituting what seems to be an incurable waste. Minnesotans should shut their eyes after witnessing painful weeks of inexcusable meltdowns on turf. This week at least, the Vikings pose as harmless crusaders en route of a wreck in the first round of a probable voyage to the Super Bowl.
In late December, we are normally critical of the doomed Dallas Cowboys, but instead we are now ridiculing the Vikes, laughing at the Vikes, and shaking our heads in disbelief at the Vikes. So you felt Tony Romo was a disgrace in Dallas, a celeb bust rather than a football bust, a tabloid magnet who’d never win a playoff game? Well, think again.
There’s a team residing where the land of 10,000 lakes exist, a team residing where the greatest and colossal mall in the world lives. Times, in December, are fragile for the Vikings. Nothing is flawless, when an ultimate menace suddenly collapses. And to relapse late in the year only spells misfortune.
This is a team armed with tremendous weapons in an unblemished receiver core. This is a team, which has healed a spiritless town. This is a team, in which the dauntless Childress coaxed and seized a former villain from Green Bay, where Favre implanted a memorable legacy. This is a team, in which owner Zygi Wilf issued disciplinary actions and dismissed four-star players from the roster for the involvement in the infamous boat scandal. This is the franchise that was embarrassed, when former coach, Mike Tice, scalped tickets.
So with the shameful era long gone, now the Vikings can revoke memories of the age of the sleazes in Minnesota. And now rectify a winning mindset within an organization, where droughts commonly happen in recent memory. This season alone, they’re 0-2 in December since Childress’ mind-blowing decision of benching the future Hall of Famer frustrated Favre. They’re 1-3 since the loss to Arizona in early December.
Instead of a full-blown, sideline confrontation Favre and Childress should’ve resolved a heated dispute behind close doors. Courtesy of NBC cameras, the Sunday Night Football audience discovered the two men in an argument when a stubborn-minded Favre was merely upset with Childress’ intentions of removing him, realizing the emphasis of keeping the 40-year old veteran healthy and rested for the playoffs.
Besides resting the temperamental gunslinger, according to reports, Favre’s boss was furious when he called an audible in a Monday night game earlier in the season against Green Bay. Even though ongoing conflict ignited a mess in Favre’s rebirth, you’d like to believe all the commotion is put behind them. If it wasn’t for Childress’ persuasiveness, Favre might have spent the entire season at home watching from his couch and mowed the loan in the rural area of Mississippi.
There are two reasons to believe why the Vikings accepted such a controlling, egotistic maniac to conduct a much-depleted franchise. Since the arrival, Favre is a superstar who became the team’s primary consumer by filling up seats, increasing ticket sales and revenue. He’s also good friends with Childress, a desperate coach willing to bring aboard a self-centered, egotistic superstar to call plays and showcase customary arm-strength as he ages.
Favre is even good friends with Darrell Bevell, after building an attachable bond at Green Bay. Although he could’ve made the surreal transition for vengeance on the Packers, the Vikings couldn’t be more exhilarated, certain he’s the answer for legitimizing hope. And when it’s still outlandish today to glance at Favre wearing a purple uniform, the Vikings were favorites to advance to the Super Bowl.
After they were in position for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and the postseason home-field advantage and a first-round bye, Minnesota quickly lost possession and watched an opportunity slip away. As it stands now, Childress’ team could fall into the Wild-Card category. The Vikings could have a date with the Packers in the first-round. If expecting to have any luck in the postseason, Minnesota has to retool as a team and find its rhythm and momentum.
The fundamentals of football starts with momentum, just as much as it’s a game where each player must bond as a unit. But most of all, Adrian Peterson must make his round to the nearest pit stop and rotate his tires. Without his wheels, Favre looks as if he’s confused and pressured by a bulldozing defense. In the last five weeks, Peterson has played poorly.
And in Chicago, he had a fumble in a 36-30-overtime loss. For the lack of ball security flaws are still hurting Peterson. By halftime, Favre’s night was silent, and had only 36 yards in passing. His running back bailed him out in previous weeks. But lately, he can’t even hold on to the football.
Childress doesn’t know if he should leave the starters in or sit them. No to mention the constant distractions are affecting the way the team plays.
The Vikings have to turn things around in a hurry. Or else they’ll go home.
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