Peterson's Absence Peeves Childress

The Minnesota Vikings are currently conducting their veteran minicamp. There were a few big no-shows on Friday.

One was quarterback Brett Favre. We all know why #4 isn't there. He's still contemplating his return, right? No, he just doesn't feel like going through the motions, and for once, I don't blame him. He recently had surgery on his ankle (which looked horrible after the NFC Championship game) and he really does need to rehab the thing. Favre had also made a promise to the Southern Miss baseball team that if they qualify for the College World Series, he would come back and play for the Vikes. Southern Miss didn't, so I guess we're all in limbo (again) regarding Favre's return.

Another was defensive end Ray Edwards. Edwards is a restricted free agent, but he wants a new deal. The Vikings tendered Edwards, but Edwards has yet to ink that tender. The Vikings cannot fine Edwards for his absence either because Edwards isn't signed. Vikes head coach Brad Childress wasn't overly concerned about Edwards stating "it's just the nature of the business".

The most prominent absence was that of running back Adrian Peterson. Apparently, there is an Adrian Peterson Day in his hometown of Palestine, Texas. This is the 4th annual. This "celebration" would take Peterson away from minicamp and Childress is not pleased. Childress was asked if Peterson's absence was annoying.

"I just know that there's a bunch of guys here. This has a term "mandatory" for a reason. The work is here. Period. You can say whatever you want. This is the fourth annual Adrian Peterson day. I don't know if it's going to be every year. But we're going to have this, too. ... "

What further annoyed Childress was that Peterson did not inform the team of the event until this past week. Childress reminded the attending media that this minicamp was scheduled well in advance. Childress was a bit fumed over the fact that Peterson was not in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, but in Palestine, Texas. Childress also mentioned that if he remembers correctly, a staff member showed him a website promoting the affair.

Peterson fumbling during NFC Championship
game. The Vikes lost in OT (31-28)and New
Orleans went on to win the Super Bowl.

And I'm siding with the Vikings head coach here. Peterson should be at these minicamps working on his one true weakness, fumbling. It's no secret that AD will put the ball on the floor every now and then. With opponents knowing this, Peterson will be a target for turnovers, and Childress, after careful offseason study, has implemented a program that will hopefully cure fumblitis. He has a drill that requires carrying a 14 pound ball, his very own 14 pound ball.

No one in their right mind would ever question Peterson's ability as a runner. He is the best in the NFL (and I offer no apologies to Tennessee's Chris Johnson). Developing a technique to curtail Peterson's ball control issues is paramount for Minnesota and their hopes of getting to the Super Bowl. If he's not putting the work, the idea won't work.

Look what happened to Tiki Barber (I know. I'm making a Tiki Barber reference). He had fumbling issues and New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and his staff developed a different way for Barber to carry the ball. That one subtle move propelled Barber to NFL stardom...for a while anyway. The same could easily happen to Peterson. He's already a star and highly marketable. Take away his fumbling, deliver a Super Bowl to the Twin Cities, and you'll see even greater things, on and off the field, from AD.

Childress and the 'play'

I can somewhat understand the temptation.

I'm referring to the last TD Minnesota scored on Sunday. 2:00 remaining. Ball on the Dallas 11. Vikings are ahead 27-3. It's also 4th and 3. What are you going to do?

I'm revisiting this because we had a bit of a similar situation in the BCS Championship game. From my post, I wrote this:

It wasn't. Texas got the ensuing kickoff and on the second play of the drive, Gilbert threw his third of four interceptions, giving Bama the ball on the Texas 27. The game clock showed 1:48 remaining. I ask,. You're the head coach, what do you do? I instruct my team to take a knee. Sure, Mack Brown had time outs in his pocket. If Brown uses one, then proceed to run real plays. If not, continue to take a knee and show a bit of class.

Not Saban. He showed that there were to be no classy win this evening by running the ball for yet another Tide score with 0:47 remaining. Are you kidding me? 47 seconds left. You have the game in hand and you call yet another running play. It was obvious that Texas was not going to call any of their remaining timeouts. Okay, the drive did take another 1:01 off the clock, Scoring that touchdown meant a lock. No, how about the previous TD meant that.

We see that Brad Childress must have gotten his copy of the Nick Saban Coaching for Classless series.

So, back to the situation. While it would have been too easy to just try to get four yards and take a knee or two, Childress calls a pass play...for a TD to Visanthe Shiancoe. And after the score, there was more jubilation on the Vikings sidelines. And one very hacked off Cowboys linebacker, Keith Brooking.

I know what was probably going throught Brooking's mind. "They're just running up the score." Or maybe "They're just rubbing it in." I get the emotional side, but for Brooking to actually go over to the Vikings sideline and start the verbal sparring is unnececesary. Let it go for now, but file it away.

Maybe that's what I should do, but I can't. It's not that I have a hatred toward Brett Favre or any of the other Vikings players, I can't for the life of me see the purpose of that play call.

If I were Santa...

I'm sure you've caught yourself doing it. You were thinking, "If I were Santa, I would give this to that person." Well, I have a list of things I want to give to people. And believe me, some people need the gift this Santa's giving to them.

Tiger Woods - a good public relations firm

We've all seen that Tiger's "handlers" really botched everything that has happened to the world's most recognizable athlete. Whoever is giving Tiger advice, needs to be booted and Tiger needs to address the public just to let everyone know he's a human and not a machine.

Tim Finchem - someone that can bring people to events like Tiger

Despite saying that the PGA Tour can survive without it's biggest draw is insane. Especially in the economy. Sure, it got by during Tiger's last hiatus, but the current situation is different. It's a matter of how long before Woods is back...and how long can the others hold down the fort.

Sergio Garcia - a win in a major

He's so come close, but Sergio now has that label no golfer wants: "Best Player to not Win a Major". He's got a win at Sawgrass. He's somewhat validated as a good player, right? All that promise and talent and no major just doesn't seem right. I'll even let Sergio pick which major he wants!


Brad Childress and Brett Favre - couples counseling

Apparently there was a profnaity laced tirade by Childress aimed at Favre after Sunday's loss to Carolina. Brad wanted Brett out of the game but Brett wanted to stay in. Also, I guess Brad's wanted to yank Brett on two other occassions. That doesn't sit well with Brett either. Brad wants the offense one way and Brett wants it his way. Dare we call an audible? We see who wears the pants.

Cliff Lee - an offense like the one he had to leave in Philly

Look at the Mariners potential starting lineup and compare it to the Phillies. According to mlb.com, the Mariners have 1B - Mike Carp, 2B - Jose Lopez, SS - Jack Wilson, 3B - Chone Figgins, LF - Milton Bradley, CF - Franklin Gutierrez, RF - Ichiro, DH - Ken Griffey, Jr. The Phillies: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth. Which lineup to you want backing up your pitching?

John Calipari - a reputation makeover

He was recently pointed out by the man, Bobby Knight, as the "poster child" for college sports lacking integrity. With all that goes wrong in college sports anymore, who can blame coach Knight? Plus, Calipari's resume' on that issue isn't the greatest: two Final Fours, two Final Fours vacated. The term "poster child", is my quote, not Knight's.

Joe McKnight - a decent ride

So, McKnight might not be playing in Saturday's Emerald Bowl due to "paperwork" stemming from an incident involving an SUV and the use of said vehicle. Supposedly, the vehicle is for his girlfriend. The vehicle is registered in the name of a local businessman. But McKnight has been seen using that vehicle. Now, McKnight is saying that the media has ruined his life. Um, Joe, we didn't get in the SUV and use it. You did.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - a decent season on 2010

Hard to believe that Junior struggled so much in 2009, especially since Hendrick Motorsports was behind him. Rick Hendrick has said that the company will focus more on Earnhardt's 88 team this upcoming season. One thing, Junior's JR Motorsports got a gift a lot of us guys would like, Danica Patrick.

Before we get too far into this holiday season, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and I thank you for reading.

sports

Favre causing split in Vikes locker room?

According to a story on ESPN.com, Adam Schefter has a source stating there is a split developing within the locker room of the Minnesota Vikings. The cause? Brett Favre. Some players feel Tarvaris Jackson gives the Vikes a better chance while others feel that person is Sage Rosenfels. That leaves Favre with some support...but very little.

Before the Favre signing, a split had somewhat already formed around those that supported Rosenfels and those that supported Jackson. Jackson started a few games in '08 so some players liked what he was bringing to this season. The Vikings weren't comfortable with Jackson so they traded to bring Rosenfels to Minnesota.

No one should really be surprised that this is happening. Favre did hold the Vikings organization hostage while he contemplated another return to the NFL. But Favre is not the sole cause. That other cause: Vikings head coach Brad Childress. It was Childress' obsession with Favre that directly led to this.

A few weeks ago the future Hall of Famer told Childress and the rest of the Vikings brass that he would not be coming out of retirement to play in the Twin Cities. All indications pointed to the fact that Favre was done in the NFL and he could spend his days down Mississippi.

But Childress persisted. After Jackson suffered a knee injury during training camp, Childress contacted Favre and most likely asked him to reconsider. The timing couldn't have been better for Brett. After all, training camp was over and that was the main sticking point upon returning...no camp. We all know what transpired. Brett's a Viking.

So,  if you want to just point one finger for the blame, you better point it towards the Vikings head coach