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Thursday, 08/28/2008
August 16th 2001: Vikings 24 vs. Steelers, 10- Preseason
It happens every summer. You drive to a lake, or a small-town and gather with your family who have all traveled from far away. Grandma brings her special dessert recipe, your aunts bring a dish to pass, the cousins all head to the playground and there is always that crazy uncle who wants you to pull his finger. We call this American summer phenomenon the Family Reunion. The summer reunion allows families to grieve, laugh, share concerns, gossip, and break bread together. Thursday afternoon, the NFL's version of the family reunion for Minnesota Vikings fans took place in the tailgating parking lots before the Exhibition game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the first time that many have seen each other since last year's playoff run and it was first opportunity that many had to share their feelings about recent team events. Many topics of conversations and concerns shared in the lot during pre-game brought the thoughts of Viking fans to the forefront before, during and after their team's 24-10 victory. Eventhough it was only a pre-season game, a record setting Viking crowd paid full price to be with each other and come to grips with the most devastating ending to a season and saddest beginning to a training camp in team history. The first thing we saw when we drove into the Vikings tailgate lot was a huge flag pole with a United States flag flying at half mast, and a big purple flag with the number 77 flapping right below it. It was obvious that Korey Stringer was on the mind of every Vikings fan and many casual chats by the beverage cooler and grill kept Big K as the focal point. "I tell you what, after I heard about Korey's passing, that 41-0 blowout looked pretty damn good," commented one of the tailgaters, "I know there are a lot more tears to be shed about that tragedy." At the beginning of the game, the Vikings Public Address Announcer asked for a moment of silence for the Viking's Pro Bowl tackle. The newly installed big screen scoreboards in the Metrodome showed a close-up of Cris Carter, who was once again wearing the face of sorrow and tears rolled down his cheeks. During the complete moment of silence one could hear sobs from fans throughout the stands. This is not the kind of purple pain that Vikings were hoping to instill this season, nor will it go away any time soon. Randy Moss was still a hot topic among fans before the game. It seems many of the purple nation still took offense to his comments he made about moving to San Antonio, and his case of the dropsy's in last weeks game with New Orleans. "I just don't get it, why does Moss have to be such a punk about everything?" commented a Vikings fan wearing a Cris Carter jersey, "At least CC has class and won't say such stupid things to the press." As I glanced toward the CC fan's car, I noticed a nice little "Got Moss" sticker in the window. Fans were talking out loud about booing him for his comments, yet when he was announced at game time, the entire Metrodome spiked with loud cheers- very loud cheers. Before the kickoff, Randy went out for the coin toss with the other Vikings captains, but the Super Freak has his way of doing everything unique. Instead of standing with the other captains to see the result of the toss, he pranced around behind them, jumping up and down and pacing back in forth with his back turned away from them for the entire ceremony. Moss once again played well enough during the game to merit the attention of ESPN's highlight reel, swatting a ball to himself and reversing direction to make a great catch for a long gain. In all, Moss made 4 catches for 77 yards, and one touchdown, but for Vikings fans this somehow just isn't enough. "Okay, his stats were decent, but he dropped 3 or 4 easy passes, and those are going to hurt us in a real game," noted one fan after game, "And just who the heck does he think he is, prancing around all over the sidelines when he's not in the game?" Upon entering the game, Vikings fans were given a pack of Upper Deck cards that featured members of the '01 team. The most sought after card was the Rookie Card of Vikings first round draft choice Michael Bennett. Bennett appears to have won the favor of Vikings fans who are impressed with his world-class speed and feel confident that he will be able to fill the shoes of Robert Smith. As for Smith, the rumors of his possible return to the NFL to play for the Baltimore Ravens brought approval from the Tailgating fans. "I think if his heart is in it, it'd be a great move for him. Baltimore has a grass surface, so it'd be easy on the knees, he knows Brian Billick's system, and he'd still be in purple," offered a tailgater who was munching on some Dakota Style chips, "Not to mention, I think the Vikings would get compensated for the acquisition." Just like most of the Vikings starters, we checked out of the game at halftime and didn't pay too much attention to the second half happenings. Instead we sat up in the stands talked about the prospects of the upcoming season. Like the chatterboxes at a Lake Picnic we gossiped, but our topic was about the Vikings. The Vikings Offense seems to be on the same track that the record setting '98 team. Despite the losses on the offensive line, the replacement tackles for Stringer and Todd Steussie, Chris Liewinski and Brad Badger have been doing a great job against the starting defenses they have faced this preseason. "Hey I heard that Eric Williams is still available, I think we should sign him" The receiving trio of Moss, Carter and Jake Reed is second to none in the NFL. The Vikings may also have the best Tight End in the NFC with Byron Chamberlain, who has been used several times in the first 2 preseason games this year. "Dude, I am putting Chamberlain as my # 3 Tight End in my Fantasy Football draft this month behind Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe. If he isn't in Hawaii this February, I will be surprised." Jim Kleinsasser is an extremely good Fullback who blocks very well and will be used multiple ways this season. So far he has been given the ball on 3rd and short situations and it seems the Vikings will expand his role even more to open up the playbook for Daunte Culpepper. "I read that Daunte knew only 1/3 of the Vikings playbook last year, and spent the entire off-season memorizing the rest. He wants to know how to do everything, and wants to audible more this season, A savvy, healthy Culpepper should strike fear into any defense this year, including Baltimore's!"
Culpepper has no peer in the NFL, but Todd Bouman as a back-up quarterback has drawn some serious concern. The fans are worried about his inconsistency and rumors are circulating that the Vikings will be looking to pluck a veteran from the upcoming round of NFL cuts.
We took the conversations back to the tailgate lot, where like the family at a reunion, we started planning the next event. It won't be a wedding or anniversary or national holiday. No, our next gathering will take place on a Sunday in September when the NFL kicks off it's official 2001 season.
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