Any Given Sunday

Today is the dawn of the Minnesota Vikings' season. I love them, although I know I should not. I love every MN sports team, although they have done nothing to earn my love. I know all the arguements about spoiled, overpaid athletes, and I heartily agree. But do I care? No. I love them anyway. The Vikings are an extension of myself. I live and die with them on every down, as if what happens to them happens to me. I feel like this without even betting on them, or playing fantasy football. The Twins are not going to make the playoffs, but now I have the Vikings to latch on to, like a buoy in a sea of despair.

This year the Vikings have a revamped defense. Seriously. I'm not joking. We have a good defense. Maybe not a great one, but good enough. We have two cornerbacks other teams wish they had. Two. It's the first time in my entire lifetime I could say such a thing with a straight face. Moss is gone, and I will miss his flair, his drama. But I prefer winning to flair, and we will win more now without him.

I am psyched. I played center in high school, and I still miss the bright lights.