Cheering for Minnesota sports teams requires a lot of Pepto-Bismol. And true to form, I'm feeling quite uneasy.
Maybe I'm just used to mediocrity and utter stupidity. Maybe I'm used to the constant headaches, bafflement and squinting at the computer or television screen as if to say, "No way I just read that. No way Kevin McHale said that he 'likes our core of young guys.'"
However, this uneasiness is different. It's not at all pain-related. It's simply, at least for Minnesota fans, the rare combination of understanding and satisfaction.
For the first time in months, my beloved sports teams, especially the Vikings, seem to be making decisions that make sense.
The Purple, at the moment, are single-handedly putting the Pepto back on the shelf. Releasing Dwight Smith was a given, and signing a replacement was the obvious next step.
The Vikings had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year. Signing Madieu Williams, whose personality is about as different from Smith's as Dennis Rodman's is from the Pope's, was the perfect move. While Smith was known for sexual mishaps, bongs and missed tackles, Williams is known for his tremendous coverage skills, community involvement and team-first attitude. Good luck, Detroit.
Next, the team signed former Golden Gophers fullback Thomas Tapeh. 2007 Pro Bowler Tony Richardson is on his way out via free agency, and Tapeh is essentially a younger Richardson. Both are block-first backs, and Tapeh is also a good special teams player.
The sheer sense of these deals is so astounding that I don't know what to do with myself.
In December 2006, coach Brad Childress called his version of the West Coast system a "kick-ass offense." That year, and for the majority of this past year, the formula was: run left, run right, short pass with no hope of getting a first down. It was unbelievable. Fans in the Metrodome would actually chant "run left" on first down and "run right" on second down, and true enough, Chester Taylor would run left on first and right on second. My dog could've been the opposing defensive coordinator.
All that said, with the third deal of this season's free agency, the "kick-ass offense" might actually come to fruition: a six-year deal for former Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian.
The Purple brought him in for talks and didn't let him leave without a signature. That's how it's supposed to be done: see a weakness on the team and correct it.
With speedster Troy Williamson gone, the Vikings' top receivers were Bobby Wade, Robert Ferguson and rookie Sidney Rice - and only Wade had more than 400 yards receiving last year. That changes in 2008.
The squad hasn't had a legitimate downfield threat since the Marshall product. That changes in 2008.
Berrian may not be as fast as Williamson, but the guy runs crisp routes and makes difficult catches - ones which Troy couldn't even dream of reeling in - look routine. His signing will make it difficult for opposing defenses to double up on Sidney Rice, who will most certainly take advantage of the single coverage. Additionally, Bobby Wade will return to where he belongs: the slot. A rich man's Chris Walsh, Wade will be lined up against slower linebackers, and he will make a bigger impact next season than he ever has.
Perhaps most importantly, with Berrian and Rice as the top two receivers, opposing defenses will be unable to stack eight or nine men in the box to try to stop Adrian Peterson. And we all saw what Purple Jesus can do against seven.
Minnesota sports teams rarely make good decisions. That changed on Saturday.
And the NFL will be seeing the results in September.
Ross Marrinson is a senior majoring in international relations. He can be reached at Ross.Marrinson@tufts.edu.
