Barack Obama always talks about how there aren't red or blue states, but one purple America.
Maybe Deval Patrick said that. I can't remember. Regardless, while it's a total load of bunny-rabbit campaign garbage, whoever said that apparently does know one thing about one state: Minnesota is the state of Purple.
The Minnesota Vikings made a decision last Wednesday that will not only help the franchise but will make the entire state better off:
They released Dwight Smith.
Well, it's about damn time. The clown was arrested twice in his tenure on the team - once for engaging in sexual conduct in a nightclub staircase and again for pot possession and obstructing traffic. Smith also frequently cited his displeasure with the team's defensive philosophy.
What, Dwight, tackling?
Even though the backups at safety last year, Mike Doss and Tank Williams, will become unrestricted free agents next week, the decision to release Smith was the right one - and exactly in line with coach Brad Childress' culture of accountability. And it looks like that culture will be tested again. On Sunday, another Viking was arrested.
Who are we? The Bengals?
Offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie - the same McKinnie who was fined a game's paycheck for his "involvement" in the Lake Minnetonka sex boat scandal - was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct outside Club Space in Miami at 6:30 a.m.
Apparently, police arrived on the scene to see McKinnie participating in a street brawl, while spitting, punching and cursing at a fellow patron.
Classy.
Bryant, what the hell are you doing out at that hour? At 340 pounds and with size 18 EEE feet, there is no way you could be dancing until six in the morning. Maybe you were pulling a Dwight Smith in the Club Space stairwell.
You have a $50 million contract. Buy yourself a Sleep Number mattress and go to bed.
More positivity coming out of Vikings camp: Apparently at the NFL Combine, Childress has made it widely known that he is "highly interested" in signing free agent quarterback Cleo Lemon.
You've got to be kidding me. Isn't Childress supposed to be a quarterback genius? The guy who molded Donovan McNabb into a superstar? His unquestioned devotion to Tarvaris Jackson is troubling enough, but the backups he's signed - Brooks Bollinger, Koy Detmer, Kelly Holcomb and Mike McMahon - are even more indicative of the man's utter confusion when it comes to evaluating NFL talent.
Based on those guys, maybe Cleo Lemon really is the answer.
In other news, the Vikings have granted enigmatic wideout Troy Williamson permission to seek trade possibilities. In even bigger news, several teams seem to be interested.
I had high hopes for Troy. After he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the 2005 combine, my squad drafted him seventh overall.
And he's been absolutely awful. He's seen more vision specialists than an 80-year-old with cataracts, and he still can't catch worth a damn. Pathetic.
How about we package him with Mewelde Moore, two first-day draft picks and cash for Donovan McNabb? McNabb is exactly what I want Tarvaris Jackson to be, and he's exactly the guy I want mentoring him.
Instead of drafting yet another defensive end as most of the "experts" predict they'll do, the Vikings should try to sign free agent end Justin Smith to replace Kenechi Udeze, who is battling leukemia, and Madieu Williams or Gibril Wilson to replace the departed Dwight Smith.
Add those players to the already stiff defense, draft another offensive playmaker like Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly or Cal's DeSean Jackson to pair with Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice, and the Purple could once again rise to the top of the NFC North.
Ross Marrinson is a senior majoring in international relations. He can be reached at Ross.Marrinson@tufts.edu.
