State Lottery game testing gambling for Vikes’ stadium?

by | Jul 20, 2010 | NFL Random Thoughts

The Minnesota State Lottery has introduced a new Minnesota Vikings scratch off game that has a $200,000 grand prize with second-chance drawings that will make players eligible for other prizes, such as season tickets.

As is called for under state law, proceeds from the $10 tickets will benefit environmental causes and the state’s general fund, according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.

Steve LaCroix, the Vikings’ vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement that the promotion is not tied to the team’s long-standing pursuit of a new stadium, but instead capitalizes on newfound popularity after the team’s strong showing during the 2009 season.

But the team saw progress in its pursuit of a stadium during the state’s legislative session this year and increasing gambling options statewide have been discussed as one possible funding mechanism for a new facility.

One could surmise that the team and the state might be taking a look at how this scratch off game performs as 2010 winds down, the 2010 season approaches and the 2011 legislative session approaches.

The Vikings’ lease at Metrodome expires after the 2011 season and team officials have said they will not renew the lease.

Coryell deserving of Hall? Madden says so

by | Jul 13, 2010 | Hall of Fame

Funeral services were held Monday for former Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers head coach Don Coryell, who died last week at 85.

He was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year but was not selected for enshrinement, a fact that John Madden apparently took issue with during his eulogy.

Madden, who coached under Coryell at San Diego State in the early 1960s, pointed into the crowd at Dan Fouts and Joe Gibbs, and said all three were in the Hall because of Coryell, according to the Associated Press.

“There’s something missing,” he continued.

Coryell never won a Super Bowl. His playoff record was 3-6. But he led some high-powered offenses that changed the game in the 1970s and 80s.

That, reportedly, is what most likely has kept him out of the Hall. My inclination is that he is right on the borderline, but he was coaching just as I was starting to watch the game. So I’d be interested in hearing people’s thoughts on the influence he had on the game and whether or not he eventually will make it to Canton, Ohio.

Russell continues foolish ways

by | Jul 5, 2010 | NFL Random Thoughts

JaMarcus Russell had been linked in recent days to the New York Jets as a possible backup quarterback option, but it looks like he’s blown that long-shot opportunity.

He’s probably not going to be relegated to reprising The Longest Yard anytime soon. But the one-time-top-draft-pick-for-Oakland-turned-all-time-draft-bust just made it harder for himself to get a second chance.

Russell was arrested and charged with possession of codeine syrup, according to several media reports.

Hmm. His name is already becoming synonymous with luminaries such as Ryan Leaf and Tony Mandarich in terms of being a stiff despite high draft status.

He was so bad at quarterback for Oakland last year that when Bruce Grad-friggin-kowski upgraded the Raiders’ quarterback play to merely mediocre, the team immediately became more competitive.

Teammates and coaches have called him out for not having much – if any – work ethic.

Yes, this news just cannot help him in any way. If he actually WANTS a second chance in the NFL, he’s got a funny way of showing it.

Good sports bars make travel more palatable

by | Jun 23, 2010 | Where to watch the game

I just wrote a post on our sister site, brushbackpitch.com, that was mostly a rant on a rough day. But it also dealt with a topic I think we can help each other out with.

Have you ever been on the road, traveling for business or taking a family vacation, and wondered where you might be able to stop and watch your favorite team play?

I ended up through bad weather and flight cancellations tonight in Schaumburg, Ill. While I would have preferred being at home, the front desk workers at my hotel made my life easier by pointing me in the direction of a store where I could get a change of clothes and by telling me about a sports bar where I could get a discounted meal and watch a bunch of ballgames to pass the time.

In return, if I happen to be in Schaumburg again for some reason, I’ll probably patronize both the Wingate by Wyndham hotel and the The Fox and Hound pub again. What other team specific or general sports bars have you come across on your road trips that you’d like to point out to our readers?

Thank you for the feedback.

Dez makes Dallas dangerous, line puts Cowboys in danger

by | Jun 7, 2010 | NFL Random Thoughts

One of the most exciting rookies entering the NFL this season is Dez Bryant, the wide receiver from Oklahoma State who fell to Dallas late in the first round.

Reports indicate that he is catching everything in sight and that, even if he is the third wide receiver by definition, he will be the first receiver by performance no later than by the end of the season.

Some seem to think it’s time to start carving Bryant’s bust for the Hall of Fame and that he makes Dallas an unstoppable offense that could be destined for the Super Bowl. To those people I say whoa, whoa, whoa, let’s hold on just a minute.

Without question the Cowboys have a great deal of offensive skill talent and Bryant will very likely be one piece of that puzzle. Tony Romo has been a good to very good quarterback, at least during the regular season. There’s Miles Austin, who made this blog look good last season by breaking out after we predicted he would well before the preseason started.

There’s Roy Williams, who has underperformed since Owner Jerry Jones traded a ransom for him but who also has the skills to be a productive wideout.

There’s the speed back in Felix Jones and the power back in Marion Barber III and they are accompanied by Tashard Choice, a more than solid reserve who could probably start on a handful or more teams. Rounding out the talent are Jason Witten, who arguably is the best tight end in the league, and a collection of parts like Patrick Crayton and Kevin Ogletree, who fill important roles on good teams. (more…)