ET Says: "The Previous Play Will Be Reviewed"

It's official. Minnesota Vikings' players Pat and Kevin Williams have thrown the red-challenge flag and filed an injunction against the NFL, regarding the recently distributed suspensions that Kevin and Pat, as well as four other players, received.

As the majority of the public knows at this point, these players were suspended from the NFL for four games, for the use of a diuretic (a drug that is used to decrease the amount of water in one's body), StarCaps. The NFL's steroid policy is simple: the players are responsible for what is in their own bodies. The players tested positive for a banned substance, and therefore should be punished as such.

The players, however, are not the only perpetrators in this case.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement, a 300+ page document stating the policies and rules of the NFL (agreed upon by the league owners and the NFL Players Association), states very clearly where the responsibility lies with each party:

"The parties agree that substance abuse and the use of anabolic steroids are unacceptable in the NFL, and that it is the responsibilities of both parties to deter and detect substance abuse and steroid use and to offer programs of intervention, rehabilitation, and support to players who have substance abuse problems." - Page 198, Article XLIV, Section 6

Therefore, it is the responsibility of both parties, being the NFL and the NFLPA, to not only acknowledge the use of anabolic steroids and substance abuse (detect), but to also prevent the use of these substances in order to protect the players (deter). According to recent information, there is clear evidence that the NFL did not deter this instance from occurring, and furthermore, encouraged the players to use this banned product.

The NFL reviewed the StarCaps drug in 2006, and determined that because it included the banned prescription drug, Bumetanide, that StarCaps would be added to the banned supplements list. The league then proceeded to send out a written notice to NFL General Managers, Owners, and the head trainers of each NFL team. Normally, the action that would follow this one would be to place the drug on the banned supplements' list. This provides a future reference for the players if they would like to know whether or not the drug is league-approved. This crucial step was left out, however, and the banned supplements' list remained the same.

The question is then asked, did the NFL deter this instance from happening?

Roger Goodell deterred this about as well as "pulling out" deters pregnancy. Maybe he'd rather discuss that issue with Bristol Palin.

According to Jamie Dukes, a writer for NFL.com, one of the players involved in this case, Deuce McAllister (a running back for the New Orleans Saints), followed NFL procedure by the book, and still was unkowing to the fact that StarCaps had been added to the NFL's banned supplements' list.

"McAllister followed procedure by taking the Starcaps product to the trainers, who in turn called the NFL hotline, which stated that the listed ingredients on the bottle were not on the banned list. Of course, by only reading the product’s label, the hotline did exactly what players do."

Add this knowledge to the fact that this is the one of the largest waves of positive tests for a specific drug in a one-year span in NFL history, and one begins to see the correlation between the players testing positive, and the banned supplements' list remaining un-updated.

Don't worry, the story is about to get juicier.

ESPN reports that Peter Ginsberg, the legal representative for Kevin and Pat Williams, claims that the notices that the NFL had sent out did not warn players about the drug's recent banning, but instead was sent out for commercial uses:

""What the [NFL] did, in fact, was issue that notification for commercial purposes, telling players not to endorse the manufacturer of StarCaps," Ginsberg told ESPN. "There was absolutely no warning about a undisclosed banned ingredient. [The notice] was purely for commercial reasons and without regard for the health, welfare and safety of the player. For Adolpho Birch or anyone associated with the NFL to suggest there was a specific warning [on StarCaps] is disingenuous and disappointing.

"Mr. Birch, in fact, personally informed the FDA that scientific studies showed that [StarCaps] contained Bumetanide. One of the scientists wanted to make that disclosure but Mr. Birch and Dr. Lombardo made the decision to suppress that information two years ago. They purposely kept information from players, all while claiming they have a policy for the health and safety of the players as well as the integrity of the league. The NFL violated its own integrity and subjected players to serious medical risks by their actions.""

Whether this information is true, or if it is simply lawyer-talk remains to be seen. As of right now, this information is only food for thought.

What the case comes down to is this: both parties have a duty to deter this from happening via the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If the NFL is not doing everything in its power to prevent the use of steroids, then it is not fulfilling his obligation to the CBA. Furthermore, by not continuing the deterrents set in place by the league for these events (updating the banned/approved lists), it is in-turn encouraging the players to use these supplements, as seen by the before-mentioned evidence regarding Deuce McAllister.

Because the NFL has violated the Collective Barganning Agreement by not deterring this instance, as have the players by not detecting the banned substance, the solution should be similar to that of the Steve Hutchinson scenario that took place in 2005; both sides should be absolved of their crimes, and instead the CBA, as well as the banned/approved suppliments' list, should be modified to prevent these occurrances in the future.

Roger Goodell, if the intent of the rule is to protect the players, then why did you insist on leaving the suppliment off of the list? There is only one outcome that can come due to that decision, and that is the one that we are dealing with at this moment.

ET says: "Desperate Measures, Desperate Calls"

"Isn't this the sexy pick? Great running back. Great offensive line. Great pass-rusher. OK, sign me up." - Matt Mosley, ESPN.

"The Vikings could easily compete with the Cowboys this year in the NFC. Both of their lines are top-notch and running back Adrian Peterson is a true difference-maker. This team will be a lot of fun to watch." - Bill Williamson, ESPN.

"Offseason moves will pay off for the Vikings." - Dan Pompei, NBC Sports.


Four weeks into the season, the Minnesota Vikings (1-3) haven't quite lived up to expectations. Tarvaris Jackson, the quarterback that Vikings' head coach Brad Chilldress has touted as the team's "quarterback of the future", has been replaced by Gus Frerotte after two disappointing losses. Offseason acquisitions Bernard Berrian and Jared Allen have simply disappointed the Vikings' fans thus far with subpar play on the field.

Simply said, for how talented this Vikings team is believed to be, they have looked about as good as Sarah Palin's interviewing skills.

So what's the solution?

"Fire Brad Chilldress!"

Well, that's the solution presented by the casual fan, at least. It seems to make sense. If a team is as talented as the Vikings, a half-brained coach should be able to lead them to the playoffs, or at least a winning record. Heck, he has Adrian Peterson on the team, the winning method should be simple: run the football!

Ladies and gentlemen, if the game was that simple, Les Steckle would have figured it out years ago.

Let's go over the facts.

- There is not one example in the extensive history of the National Football League in which a head coach was fired in the middle of the season, and the replacement head coach lead his team to the playoffs. Let me reiterrate this - there is not one example of an interim head coach providing a "quick fix" for the team.

- If Brad Chilldress is indeed the problem, and the right decision will be to remove him as the head coach, the replacement options are far more abundant in the offseason.

- Firing Brad Chilldress in the offseason also allows his replacement ample time to install a new system. This is not true if the decision is made in the regular season, considering the interim coach would only be provided under a week to install his system.

- Four games have been played. If the season was decided after four games, then Mike Tice would still have his job. Need I remind the fans that the Vikings were 2-5 last year at one point? 5 games later, the Vikings record (7-5) looked a lot more acceptable, and were the favorites to make the playoffs out of the NFC.

The individuals chanting "Fire Brad Chilldress!" are simply desperate for a quick solution... much like the United States Government officials chanting "700 Billion Dollar Buyout!".

Fact is, firing Brad Chilldress now, or at any point during the regular season, concedes the season, period. I, as well as every single Viking fan, am not ready to give up on the season just yet.

Skol Vikings!

ET Says: "Quarterback Democracy (September 18, 2008)"

I still haven't determined who the best candidate is in this race, and it has made my life nuts. Each person I meet feels that he or she must share their opinion on what is best, and while both sides have valid points, I am starting to get sick of the election talk.

There is one thing that both sides can agree upon, and that is that the current leader needs to be replaced. Whether it be his boneheaded decision making, or his way of speaking that begs the question, "has this guy ever opened a dictionary?", the leadership role needed a change.

The candidates available for replacement, however, are less than spectacular. On one side, we have a nominee who promotes change and efficiency. Yet his experience, or better put, lack of experience, leads one to question if we can trust the hype, or will he start begging for a pacifier now that he is in the higher levels? On the other side, we have a near senile candidate who, while knows the ins-and-outs of how things work, makes me wonder if he should be eating food from a tube instead.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Chilldress announced recently about his decision to remove the team's current starting quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, and instead start the well known veteran, Gus Frerotte, against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. The other replacement options includes the team's fifth-round quarterback, John David Booty, who many think will eventually take over as the Viking's passing leader. Coming out of USC, experts touted him to be the most "NFL ready" quarterback in the draft. This has yet to be seen, however, considering he's looked a lot like Vince Young taking the Wonderlic test.

Vikings fans showed their discontent for the 16 game starter during the Vikings' contest with the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, by boo'ing the starter off the field when the team was protecting a 15 point lead. It seems unusual to show disappointment to these extremities when the team is doing well. Apparently we've all succumbed to the illness known as "YankeeFanitis".

Flashback to 2006.

Wily old quarterback Brad Johnson had the starting position for 14 games, and was expected to "manage the offense" into the playoffs. Johnson failed to do so, however, by throwing 15 interceptions to only 9 touchdowns. Tarvaris Jackson was still filling the diapers from his rookie season, and was meant to learn under Johnson's decrepit wing. Flash forward to December 17th. Brad Johnson executed one of his better games of the season, throwing a touchdown while completing 10 of 17 passes. Then, as if Reagan had suddenly wandered into a Democratic National Convention, you could hear it.

"BOOOOOOOOOO!"

Fans displayed their impatience on every drive in which Johnson was named the Quarterback, that is until late in the third quarter.

"Now in at Quarterback, number seven, Tarvaris Jackson!"

An uproar, not heard since the Prohibition act was removed, filled the stadium. Maybe the Dome Dogs were filled with LSD that day, because the fans must have been drugged in order to think that a project, rookie QB, who was projected to be an undrafted player, was going to lead the Vikings to the promised land.

The Field Fare vendors must be hard at work again, because the only place that Gus Frerotte will lead this team to is the top of the draft order.

It seems that the fan's fetish is whoever replaces the current starting quarterback. Whether it be Brad Johnson in 2005, Tarvaris Jackson in 2006, or Gus Frerotte this year, the fan's will put their full support in the new quarterback. For whatever reason, we throw out the fact that none of these replacement quarterbacks have had any real success in the past. No, that's irrelevant data. What is relevant is that the new guy will always look better than his predecessor. It's the same logic Al Davis uses with head coaches, and he's obviously been extremely successful with that mindset.

It's time to face the facts. Gus Frerotte, 37 years old, is a career backup who has posted a career quarterback rating of 74.3. For a comparison, recently cut quarterback Brooks Bollinger has a career rating of 75.2, and we all know how much success he has had as a Viking. As a Ram last year, Frerotte threw 12 interceptions in just eight games, and completed 56% of his passes, which, while well below par for NFL standards, is actually above his career completion percentage (54.2%). All of this was done with talents such as Torry Holt (wide receiver) and Stephen Jackson (half back), both considered top five at their respected positions.

This leads one to question... where the hell do the Vikings expect to go with this nutcase at the helm?

The public needs to take this move for what it is, a desperate attempt to find a stop-gap at the quarterback position. Gus Frerotte isn't going to win the Vikings any games, but coach Chilldress doesn't necessarily want him to do so. Instead, he is hoping that he will play just "well enough" in order let the rest of the team make a run at the postseason.

There's a reason that I'm an undecided voter when I look at this bunch of QBs. No matter which one is put at the helm, the problems in the passing game will not be solved. There isn't an answer in our system currently to our offensive woes, and there isn't anyone currently available that could turn this entire team around.

Fact is, the only thing that is going to help this team turn the season around is for the entire team to start executing properly. That can't be solved by simply playing musical chairs with this set of QBs.


Go Vikings, and happy voting!

ET Says: "Oh Canada! (July 30th, 2008)"

Inexperienced Pitching Staff? Check.

Team Leader Lost? Check.

Cy Young Winner traded? Check.

Best Young Pitcher traded? Check.

Bill Smith's first offseason as GM of the Minnesota Twins left fans with a feeling similar to a crowbar repeatedly striking a man's left testicle. Experts concluded that the Twins would be the worst team in the AL Central. The Detroit Tigers and Cleavland Indians looked to fight for 1st and 2nd place with dominating offensive attacks. The Minnesota Twins were not going to compete for a division title.

Three months later, that left testicle has healed up just fine.

Despite Smith's big offseason investments in Mike Lamb and Adam Everett being complete non factors, the Twins have had one hell of a season. Livan Hernandez, regardless of having an ERA higher than Willie Nelson, has eaten his innings to 10 wins, 8 of which are at home. Alexi Casilla, who was hitting near .200 in the minors, has given the Twins great defense at second base, as well as a .300 average. Former strikeout king Denard Span has stepped it up this year, and has taken over the lead-off role. Joe Nathan, nearly traded in the offseason, has had the best season of his career, recording his 29th save last night. Jason Morneau, the unknown Home Run Derby champ, is making Canada proud with his gaudy RBI numbers. Golden Boy Joe Mauer is still driving women wild with his fantastic sideburns.

Oh, and did I mention the 24, 25, 26, and 27 year old pitchers that all have winning records?

Maybe it's Livan's veteran presence.

Maybe it's Delmon Young's rigid running style.

Maybe it's the smell of Gomez's bat.

Or maybe, just maybe, the Twins have a good team.

Whatever it is, its working.

Experts? Fuck the experts. The Twins are rolling.

ET Says: "Brett's Fiasco (July 15th, 2008)"

-"911 Emergency Response, what is your emergency today?"

-"Yes, I have someone here who is suffering from chronic whining, second thoughts, and blaming others."

-"I'll send a Wambulance out right away."


In his long, media-friendly career, the Packers have put up with Favre's incompetence. Whether it was his constant indecisiveness on his retirement, or his ability to throw his teammates off of his shoulders, and under a bus, the Packers and their fans have stuck by "Good 'Ol Number Four." He played in Green Bay for sixteen seasons.

No, I'm not making this up. The great cheese state of Wisconsin had to stomach Favre for sixteen season. Sixteen seasons full of interceptions, press conferences, and excuses. He is the all-time leader in all three of those categories.

Just two short months ago, Favre shed tears of sadness on national television, for he had decided to retire from football.

Wisconsin shed tears too. Tears of joy.

It was a storybook ending. Favre's legacy in Green Bay was over. No bridges had been burnt. The Packers were allowed to move on with the future of their franchise, and spent two draft picks on Quarterbacks in this year's draft. Aaron Rogers had patiently waited four long years for his time to shine, and was given that chance. Everything was going swell.

Enter Brett Favre, stage left.

"I would like to play again." Brett says with that perfect Forest Gump impression that he does so well.

Ted Thompson says calmly, "Well Brett, we've already moved on. There isn't much we can do at this point.

Brett then starts to shrink, slowly but surely.

"But... you love me. I thought that meant something..."

"I'm sorry, the best interest of the organization right now is to stick with Aaron Rogers. He is our future."

Brett continues to grow smaller. His face loses that rugged, half-shaven beard, and his eyes are like that of a puppy.

"But I'm still better than Aaron! Please?

"No, that is the final decision. You retired, and we moved on.

Brett has now reverted to the state that we all know and love, his two year old body. Ted hands him his pacifier in fear of another temper tantrum, but it was too late.

"Well it's your fault I retired! And... and its your fault that you didn't give me everything I need! You guys suck! I want to go somewhere else!

"We would be happy to trade you if someone would be willing to do so, but it wouldn't be in the organization's best interest to just release you."

"I don't care about the organization!! I only care about me! What are you going to do for me??!!"

And there you have it folks. Brett Favre only cares about himself. He takes no responsibility for his own actions, nor does he care about the state of the franchise that has treated him like a god. He wants to tarnish everything, so he can "play like a kid" again for one more year.

"Play like a kid"... funny how his attitude reflects that as well.

I think I speak for everyone when I say:

Brett Favre, Shut Your Face.