VIKINGS ROAM FOR NEW HOME

So much for my Minnesota Vikings leaving the much-maligned Metrodome. Owner Zygi Wilf has let his option on land that was intended for the new stadium in Blaine, Minn., expire, although he ha denied that he's no longer interested in building there. But local officials, some of whom are up for re-election, are saying the outlook is "grim" since since it's become such a political football. Assumptions made about the sanctity of nearby wetlands near the proposed stadium site are also being scrutinized.

The chances of it coming to pass seem about as remote as the Vikings playing in the Super Bowl this season. The team's lease on the Metrodome only has six years left, so there's not that a big a time frame before relocation rumours could start flying.

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As for the actual on-field stuff (with the Vikings, it's always a relief when you can talk about what's happening on the field), it's the usual mixed bag. Losing D-back Dovonte Edwards, who was slotted for the nickelback spot, to a broken arm is a definite downer, since that makes two guys who would have helped the defence (Chad Greenaway being the other) being sidelined by major injuries.

On the plus side, the Vikings defence never gave up more than one TD in any of the four pre-season games, and took down four interceptions. The first-stringers played close to the whole first half last night and gave up just a field goal in last night's 10-10 tie against Terrell Owens and Some Other Guys.... err, the Dallas Cowboys.

As for the offence, better you don't ask. The running game reeked the entire pre-season, so hope pretty much rests on keeping Brad Johnson and the receiving corps (soon with 100% more Todd Pinkston!) healthy and unharmed. Since the Vikings are paying Johnson peanuts, that limits their ability to go after a quality backup. So they had to settle for Brooks Bollinger, who will likely become the No. 2 quarterback with Mike McMahon getting his walking papers.

Bollinger did start about half the season for the Jets last year after Chad Pennington got hurt, so apparently that would make him a NFL quarterback, just as if you put him in space, that would make him an astronaut too.

Bringing in Pinkston, a No. 3 receiver as best, doesn't totally suck, but the Vikings are potentially compounding it by considering signing Koy Detmer, another ex-Philadelphia Eagle. Obviously, this is Brad Childress acting on his connection to his former team, but reuniting the former Philly quarterback-receiver tandem (i.e., Randall Cunningham and Cris Carter) only works once a lifetime.

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.