Posts by Adam Warwas

Hurry Up And Punish Them

March 2, 2012, by 5 comments

New Orleans is the center of the latest, greatest controversy in the NFL as it has been uncovered by an NFL investigation that the Saints, led by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, paid bounties out to players on defense for injuring opponents.  Brett Favre, not to anyone’s surprise, was obviously a target during the 2009 NFC Championship game.

Now, I’m really not that surprised, shocked, and quite honestly not all that upset.

Bounties have long been rumored to be a part of the NFL, and the Saints were just dumb enough to get caught.  I think bounties are likely an unspoken truth similar to taping opponents signals (spygate) and tampering just prior to free agency.

Still, being dumb enough to get caught partaking in such a barbaric practice means you must be punished.  Rumor has it that punishments could include cash fines, suspensions, and the loss of draft picks.

I have a better idea, but the league needs to act fast.

Take away their right to use a franchise tag this year.  If you do that, then Drew Brees might just hit the open market, which would surely doom the franchise to years of awful play at the quarterback position.

There, I said it.

Community Mock: Day One

March 2, 2012, by 4 comments

For the next 32 days (give or take) I want to take Vikings Territory on a journey through the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft by allowing you to vote on each pick on a day-by-day basis.  The picks will be decided by who gets the majority of the votes and the results will be posted here, updated daily.

In the “analysis” section of the grid I will pick a comment that I feel best describes the rationale behind the choice, so be sure to leave a comment stating your reasoning.

Today, we will start you off with an easy one, as the Colts are on the clock with the first overall pick.


Branch And Jackson Slapped With The Tag

March 1, 2012, by 2 comments

Yesterday, I scribbled a list of my “Top 25” free agency targets for the Vikings.

DeSean Jackson didn’t make the list, but that was only because we all knew he would get hit with the franchise tag.  Today, he got hit with the franchise tag.

Rumors suggest the Eagles intend to trade Jackson, but I highly doubt the Vikings would be a willing trade partner.  With a somewhat saturated market at the receiver position, it doesn’t make much sense to give up a high pick to obtain a player that wants to get paid like a superstar.  Besides, he’s a headache.

One player who did make my list, Raiders safety Tyvon Branch, is no longer on the market.  It has been reported that Branch will be tagged by the Raiders.  In an already depleted safety market, one more option is off the table for the Vikings.

DAYTON: “Now The Real Work Begins”

March 1, 2012, by 2 comments

As expected, an announcement was made this morning at the Minnesota Capitol that formally introduces a Vikings stadium bill to Legislature, which marks the farthest point the Wilf’s have reached in this process since they bought the franchise in 2005.

The bill’s main talking points are pretty much exactly what I had laid out last night: 

  • A total price tag of $975 million.
  • The Vikings (and NFL) would pay $427 million.
  • The State would pay $398 million.
  • The State would primarily raise funds using electronic pull tabs.
  • Minneapolis would pay $150 million using an existing sales tax.
  • The stadium would have a fixed, covered roof.
  • A three to four year construction process would be expected.
  • The final year of construction would have the Vikings playing at TCF Bank Stadium

Governor Mark Dayton cautioned enthusiasts that “now the real work begins” as the plan must be approved by the State Legislature and the Minneapolis City Council.  There is sure to be some opposition at those levels, but what the strength of that opposition is remains to be seen.

By Beating The Redskins, Vikings Lost To The Rams

March 1, 2012, by No comments yet

Prior to a number of late-season games in 2011, fans of this blog and countless others argued passionately about whether or not it was acceptable to root for their team to lose in an effort to secure better Draft position.

Both sides made good arguments, and now Minnesota’s local media is going nuts for a topic they refused to touch back in December.

Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press says that the Christmas victory over Washington “cost Vikings dearly.”  Dan Wiederer of Access Vikings calls it the win the “costliest in Vikings’ history.”

With reports surfacing that indicate the St. Louis Rams could be on the verge of striking a Herschel-type deal that lands them multiple high Draft picks, and possibly some talented players, it is hard to argue that the Vikings would rather have the second overall pick than the third.

Oh, and don’t forget, that was the game in which Adrian Peterson suffered his devastating knee injury.

These writers aren’t throwing blame at anyone (Joe the Draft Killer!), and are simply pointing out the obvious, but I still find it difficult to sign off on the throwing of an NFL game just to enhance their Draft position.  Besides, the Vikings are still in pretty good position, and may soon find themselves in an even better one.

It is tough, however, to think of any win in Vikings history that led to the team losing so much.

Weigh The Gambling Option Carefully, Minnesota

March 1, 2012, by 4 comments
MN Casinos

I haven’t paid taxes in Minnesota for nearly a decade now (wow, time flies) so I try to avoid sticking my nose into the State’s affairs, especially when it involves the money of Minnesota taxpayers.  In fact, on this blog, I try to avoid political topics all together.

With this post I break both of those pseudo-rules, but I will try to do it tactfully.

As fans log onto their work computers Thursday they will likely be bombarded with news about a bill being introduced to the State Legislature that could/would/should get a new stadium built within their borders to ensure the Vikings don’t abandon the nest for at least another 30 years.

At the time I am writing this, no details have emerged detailing how the State would finance the public portion of this stadium, but all indications are that this Republican Legislature understandably has no interest in raising taxes.  Thus, it appears likely that some sort of gambling deal will be the answer.

Now, I am a huge supporter of keeping the Vikings in Minnesota, but I just cannot reconcile in my mind why Minnesota voters would want to increase the gambling platform to pay for this thing.

Continue Reading →

Much Ado About Something?

February 29, 2012, by No comments yet

Wednesday was a sllllow news day.

Thursday might be the opposite.

Reports emerged via KFAN that the Vikings, the City of Minneapolis, and the State of Minnesota are close to reaching an agreement which would formulate a bill to be presented to legislature.  It is expected that the various parties involved are working late into Wednesday night and an announcement will be made on Thursday.

In fact, a press conference has already been scheduled at the Capitol at 9:00 a.m. Central Lutefisk Time.

According to KFAN’s report, the bill proposes a stadium built adjacent to the existing Metrodome and lays out a three to four year construction timeline.  The Vikings would have to play on season at TCF Bank Stadium under this plan.

The total cost of the project is expected to be about $975 million with the Vikings organization taking on half of those costs and half of the operating costs.  At this point, no details are known about how the public funds portion of this bill is set up.

Don’t get too excited, as the legislature still has to, you know, vote and stuff.

This still has a ways to go.