On this Election Day, the most shocking result is not related to any House, Senate or Governor’s race. It’s in the NFL, 
where in a last-minute shocker that fooled even the most astute pollsters, the Minnesota Vikings have surpassed the Dallas Cowboys as the biggest bust thus far in the 2010 season. And most of the fuel was thrown on this proverbial inferno in just over a week’s time.
Let’s review:
The downward spiral began on October 24th, after everyone’s favorite diva Brett Favre threw three interceptions in a tough 28-24 loss to the rival Green Bay Packers. After the game, he and coach Brad Childress exchanged barbs after Childress criticized his poor decisions. As if that weren’t enough, Favre suffered two fractures of his left ankle, and Childress was fined $35,000 by the league for criticizing officials twice after the loss.
Next, it was revealed that the NFL plans to talk to former Jets game day hostess Jenn Sterger as part of its investigation into inappropriate voicemails and texts that Favre left/sent to her in 2008. Should Sterger’s story contradict what Favre previously told the league, it could merit a suspension from Commissioner Roger Goodell.
This past Sunday, Favre actually took the field against the New England Patriots, but was knocked out after “taking one on the chin” literally and suffering a laceration and possible concussion after a helmet-to-jaw hit. Yet again, this was the tip of the iceberg. After the game, recently acquired wide receiver Randy Moss gave a bizarre press conference, in which he ranted about a $25,000 fine he received from the league, criticized the Vikings coaching staff and practically gushed over his former employer, the Patriots.
The final icing on the smashed cake came on Monday, when Childress announced that the team ended their brief marriage with Moss and waived him, basically blowing a third-round draft choice for a guy to catch 13 passes in four games. Childress does deserve credit for playing the role of corporate middle manager perfectly, as seen in his speech to his players in which he stated that Moss “is no longer with us.” Classic Corporate American “downsizing” speak, Brad. Ah, but there is yet another twist in this saga.
“Chilly’s” decision to get rid of Moss didn’t go over well with Vikings owner Zygi Wilf. According to ESPN’s Adam Shefter, Wilf is “angry” about Moss being waived, leading some to speculate that Childress did not consult with his boss before making the decision.
Oh, how fascinating it all is. Did anyone foresee the Vikings and Lions having the same records after Week 8? Somewhere, even Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips are laughing…
Used with permission of the author.
Chris Lardieri also covers the NFL for Sports Climax and the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com. He has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’. Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations
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