I am a little dissapointed in the people of Minnesota when it comes to the Vikings Stadium debate. This is not because they are not on the same side of the issue as I am, because this issue crosses party lines and there are numerous reasons that can affect someones viewpoint regardless of affilliation. It is however because of how easily they are manipulated by local media and allow it to affect their decision making even if proven to be false.
People are repeatedly being brain washed by the Star Tribune and their bully pulpit and told how they should feel about this and any issue for that matter. The Star Tribune will continue these tactics, including blatantly lying, until they get what they want. For you die hard anti stadium people you should know their goal is not to defeat any stadium legislation. It is to defeat any legislation that would affect them or where they do not profit from the deal.
In other words, right now the bill currently awaiting a special session is for a new stadium to be built on the former site of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills. The Star Tribune is solely opposed to the location of the stadium, they are upset and are demanding it be built on the site of the Metrodome or that the #biginflatabletoilet is renovated inside and out. Why? Well...because they own all the land around the Metrodome and stand to make a tidy profit. Much like they have with all the price gouging parking lots they have owned since 1982. That is the same reason they last used their bully pulpit to get the ill conceived cesspool built in the first place.
The Star Tribune has no intention of telling the public the truth and will lie until the tide turns and the stadium is projected to be built in Minneapolis. At which time they will profess to have been long time stadium backers just waiting for a deal that makes sense and they will convince you at that time it does. Then like the trained monkeys you are....you will follow. The problem is why not make this location work now and save a lot of money and do what is best for Minny? Think about it, whenever it is profitable you can not go without seeing their name scattered everywhere in support...if it is good for others or the state as a whole but not them, well then....the last propaganda machine this effective ended badly for all.
While I fully support freedom of the press it is with the condition that it is ethical journalism. We already have one National Enquirer we don't need a local rag version. I call on the Star Tribune to fully disclose their sources and facts from hereon in regarding the stadium issue. In addition I call on them to fully disclose with each article they "write", all of their financial gains since and as a result of the inception of the Metrodome with projected financial windfalls from any proposed new Vikings Stadium in Minneapolis or renovated Metrodome.
This would show they have SOME integrity and that their ultimate goal is what is best for the people of Minnesota. As it appears right now they are not interested in accurate reporting or ethical journalism or what is in the best interest of the people. They are solely interested in biased self indulgent reporting. They should be worried about avoiding a 2nd Bankruptcy filing or total cessation of operations due to piss poor management.
I call on the people of Minnesota to boycott the Star Tribune and their interests until they fully disclose the above and begin unbiased factual reporting.
#skolvikes #vikingsstadiumsolution #tcaap #specialsession #startribuneboycott
VOYAGEUR COUNTRY-RED ZONE: Fans perspective and analysis of the Minnesota Vikings, other favorite NFL teams on occassion including Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. Additional opinions on traditional rivals the Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears as well as other hated teams the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Stadium Special Session
The Vikings Stadium debate has now been raging for nearly a decade. The Minnesota State Legislature itself promised resolution during the 2006 Legislative Session after the Vikings graciously stepped aside so that stadium issues for the Twins & Gophers could be resolved. Our Governor Mark Dayton at the start of the 2011 session promised the issue would be addressed once and for all.
All the Vikings and their fans are asking for is the same treatment & respect every other team in this market has been given. Hear the stadium bill and vote on its merits. Vote it up or down but vote on it, this has dragged on long enough, and #mnleg you are out of excuses. It is now time to be accountable to your constituents as an elected official. It is not the peoples job to vote on issues, it is those representatives who were duly elected whose DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY it is to act on behalf of the voters they are sworn to represent. The citizenry does not have the option of demanding referendums on hand picked issues. It is your job to act on the long term interests of the state of Minnesota. Number one question is does it benefit Minnesota, with both the simple and complex answers being yes.
This bill creates new jobs & revenue streams, as well as saves those already existing. A new Vikings stadium would likely lead to annual revenue going INTO the state general fund in excess of $25-30 million annually. Leaders how would you propose replacing that lost revenue when you can not cope with existing shortfalls? The Metrodome, an ill conceived venue has led to over $340 million pouring into state coffers since 1982 of which over $180+ million is a direct result of the Vikings. This is after a $55 million bonding bill and again no state general fund dollars, which was paid off in around 1/2 the mandated time. Failure to act or nonfeasance would result in the loss of existing revenue & jobs, prevent the creation of new ones and likely to lead to residual job losses and business failures, which once again would lead to more lost revenue. Minnesota has made its money off the Vikings, now it is time to show our appreciation once and for all, giving them their first permanent home like every other state asset. Show them they are WELCOME and are Minnesota!
This bill is about more than just numbers though, it is also about people, culture, diversity of activities, national competitiveness and exposure. It is about attracting new residents and new businesses. It is about players and staff that give back to the community and create hope and pride through the Vikings Childrens Fund or the numerous other individual charities they operate and/or support.
It is about the former residents of Minny scattered nationwide who still yearn to call Minnesota home and to have that sliver of home and hometown pride. It is about the residents of Western Wisconsin, of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and yes even from Canada who support the Vikings and travel here once, or more, per year to support their favorite team.
Minnesota is not great because of the Vikings, we are great because we value the: Vikings, Twins, Wild, (cough,cough) Timberwolves, Lynx, Gophers, Valleyfair, State Fair, Renaissance Festival, Ordway Theatre, The Orpheum, The Science Museum, The Walker Art Center, etc.....It is because we value the interests and beliefs of all and choose to create a diverse community and not cater to one class or belief. Yes, football is a blue collar sport but we are still a blue collar hard working community and the Vikings reflect those beliefs and efforts.
The majority of people opposing this bill do not even know what they are opposing and/or refuse to look for solutions that benefit us all as a state and that is not the way of Minnesota. There are solutions with little to minimal to no impact on the budget of the average Minnesotan unless they choose to be involved. The biggest is user fees which is a section of the bill as currently constituted. These fees and/or taxes are only paid if you CHOOSE to support, IE...sports memorabilia tax, ticket tax, parking tax, captured and dedicated Vikings Taxes(if they are gone so are these, put them to work), venue only tax, stadium district tax on businesses benefitting from new venue, etc...There is also Racino, time to stop caving to special interests and use this incredible job and revenue producing source. What about the Legacy Fund, it is already being used for the arts, this is art and entertainment and majority of those funds are from people more likely to support Vikings than the Arts.
Is is time to act in the bests interests of Minnesota both now and in the future, because as other cities (Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, L.A, St. Louis) have shown us once you lose your NFL team you immediately realize the loss and begin the process of replacement. How has that worked for Minnesota in the past? The Minnesota North Stars could have been retained in 1993 for $20 million in renovations to Met Center instead we paid over $300 million to replace them with the Wild. We can now keep the Vikings for the cost of $1.057 billion to build a new stadium of which the Vikings are paying $407+ million, and $300 million of USER fees not state general fund dollars, these funds do not exist without this deal. The remaining portion is from an eager local partner that sees the long term growth potential and revenue streams it creates. All this can be adjusted but you have to sit down and do what you promised! The time is now! Call a special session or this deal goes up $50 million per year, it has already increased by around $250-$300 million due to excuses of the legislature. Due the math, $1.057 billion now or $2.2 billion later WHEN we want a new team and IF they give us one!
#skolvikes
All the Vikings and their fans are asking for is the same treatment & respect every other team in this market has been given. Hear the stadium bill and vote on its merits. Vote it up or down but vote on it, this has dragged on long enough, and #mnleg you are out of excuses. It is now time to be accountable to your constituents as an elected official. It is not the peoples job to vote on issues, it is those representatives who were duly elected whose DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY it is to act on behalf of the voters they are sworn to represent. The citizenry does not have the option of demanding referendums on hand picked issues. It is your job to act on the long term interests of the state of Minnesota. Number one question is does it benefit Minnesota, with both the simple and complex answers being yes.
This bill creates new jobs & revenue streams, as well as saves those already existing. A new Vikings stadium would likely lead to annual revenue going INTO the state general fund in excess of $25-30 million annually. Leaders how would you propose replacing that lost revenue when you can not cope with existing shortfalls? The Metrodome, an ill conceived venue has led to over $340 million pouring into state coffers since 1982 of which over $180+ million is a direct result of the Vikings. This is after a $55 million bonding bill and again no state general fund dollars, which was paid off in around 1/2 the mandated time. Failure to act or nonfeasance would result in the loss of existing revenue & jobs, prevent the creation of new ones and likely to lead to residual job losses and business failures, which once again would lead to more lost revenue. Minnesota has made its money off the Vikings, now it is time to show our appreciation once and for all, giving them their first permanent home like every other state asset. Show them they are WELCOME and are Minnesota!
This bill is about more than just numbers though, it is also about people, culture, diversity of activities, national competitiveness and exposure. It is about attracting new residents and new businesses. It is about players and staff that give back to the community and create hope and pride through the Vikings Childrens Fund or the numerous other individual charities they operate and/or support.
It is about the former residents of Minny scattered nationwide who still yearn to call Minnesota home and to have that sliver of home and hometown pride. It is about the residents of Western Wisconsin, of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and yes even from Canada who support the Vikings and travel here once, or more, per year to support their favorite team.
Minnesota is not great because of the Vikings, we are great because we value the: Vikings, Twins, Wild, (cough,cough) Timberwolves, Lynx, Gophers, Valleyfair, State Fair, Renaissance Festival, Ordway Theatre, The Orpheum, The Science Museum, The Walker Art Center, etc.....It is because we value the interests and beliefs of all and choose to create a diverse community and not cater to one class or belief. Yes, football is a blue collar sport but we are still a blue collar hard working community and the Vikings reflect those beliefs and efforts.
The majority of people opposing this bill do not even know what they are opposing and/or refuse to look for solutions that benefit us all as a state and that is not the way of Minnesota. There are solutions with little to minimal to no impact on the budget of the average Minnesotan unless they choose to be involved. The biggest is user fees which is a section of the bill as currently constituted. These fees and/or taxes are only paid if you CHOOSE to support, IE...sports memorabilia tax, ticket tax, parking tax, captured and dedicated Vikings Taxes(if they are gone so are these, put them to work), venue only tax, stadium district tax on businesses benefitting from new venue, etc...There is also Racino, time to stop caving to special interests and use this incredible job and revenue producing source. What about the Legacy Fund, it is already being used for the arts, this is art and entertainment and majority of those funds are from people more likely to support Vikings than the Arts.
Is is time to act in the bests interests of Minnesota both now and in the future, because as other cities (Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, L.A, St. Louis) have shown us once you lose your NFL team you immediately realize the loss and begin the process of replacement. How has that worked for Minnesota in the past? The Minnesota North Stars could have been retained in 1993 for $20 million in renovations to Met Center instead we paid over $300 million to replace them with the Wild. We can now keep the Vikings for the cost of $1.057 billion to build a new stadium of which the Vikings are paying $407+ million, and $300 million of USER fees not state general fund dollars, these funds do not exist without this deal. The remaining portion is from an eager local partner that sees the long term growth potential and revenue streams it creates. All this can be adjusted but you have to sit down and do what you promised! The time is now! Call a special session or this deal goes up $50 million per year, it has already increased by around $250-$300 million due to excuses of the legislature. Due the math, $1.057 billion now or $2.2 billion later WHEN we want a new team and IF they give us one!
#skolvikes
2011 Season: Vikings 53 Man Roster
OK so the 2011 offseason and the strange effects of the lockout on training camp and signings are finally over. The Vikings made their final cuts yesterday to get their roster from 80 down to the required 53.
While most of the roster was not a surprise there were a few moves that were either intriguing or baffling. First lets set the roster by position:
QB: McNabb, Ponder, Webb
Although Webb is the likely #3 on the depth chart it is also likely he will see the field, at least initially, more than Ponder (barring a McNabb injury or subpar play) due to his athleticism and the fits he will cause D-Coordinators.
RB: Peterson, Gerhart, Booker
Great stable of backs with different styles and change of pace. Only question mark the fumbling of Booker, although exciting. If Caleb King is not picked up on waivers he could be a late season addition if Booker continues poor ball handling.
WR: Harvin, Jenkins, Berrian, Camarillo, Aramoshodu
A lot of diversity and options. Consistency and effort not lacking. Issue big play deep threat receiver is lacking from this group.
TE: Shiancoe, Rudolph, Kleinsasser, Reisner
Wow!! Best group of TE's in Minny as long as I can remember from top to bottom. Main issue is blocking ability aside from Kleinsasser.
OL: Johnson, Hutchinson, Sullivan, Herrera, Loadholt, Cooper, Love, Olsen, Fusco, Brown
Definitely upgraded from last year, starters and depth look good. Biggest weakness inexperience and depth at Tackle.
Special Teams: K - Longwell, P - Kluwe, LS - Loeffler
SOLID!
DL: Robison, K.Williams (suspended 2 games/roster exemption), Ayodele, Allen, Guion, Griffen, Ballard, Reed, Evans, Awasom
Starting 4 solid, big year for Robison to show worthy of promotion. Depth at Tackle solid although End depth & experience a bit of a concern.
LB: EJ Henderson, Greenway, E. Henderson, Onatolu, Dean
Very solid, swarming aggressive group, the strength of the defense.
CB: Winfield, C. Griffin, C.Cook, A. Allen, Burton, Sherels
S: Sanford, T.Johnson, Frampton, Abdullah, Raymond
Biggest question mark of the defense, other than 3 of the 4 starters who are solid, which is one reason 11 guys were kept.
Once the above roster was set, the team could start looking at the make up of the practice squad which can consist of 8 players. Some of the guys I think will be looked at:
FB: D'Imperio, Asiata
RB: C. King
WR: Iglesias, Burton and maybe Arcenaux
There might be a couple others looked at from Vikings cuts however I think the remaining spots will be filled from other teams espescially for OL & DB.
Although the writing was on the wall for the most part due to high salary and ability to realistically only be an impact player on Special Teams, the release of Heath Farwell was a big one for the Vikings. They also placed LB Jasper Brinkley on IR due to hip issue which will require surgery. Long time TE Jeff Dugan was a surprise to many although I believe justified as he had been in purple for 5 years and yet to significantly contribute, cant catch and average at best blocker, being a great guy with no ability doesnt win a Super Bowl. The other cut that was somewhat of a surprise was WR Jaymar Johnson, I had the Vikings keeping 6 receivers with Johnson being the primary KR/PR man, albeit in the #6 slot. However with the strong camp of Sherels as a return man and Lorenzo Booker, the Vikings apparently decided the roster spot was best used on OL or DB, which really can' t be argued as both are glaring weaknesses on an otherwise decent looking roster, although young.
While most of the roster was not a surprise there were a few moves that were either intriguing or baffling. First lets set the roster by position:
QB: McNabb, Ponder, Webb
Although Webb is the likely #3 on the depth chart it is also likely he will see the field, at least initially, more than Ponder (barring a McNabb injury or subpar play) due to his athleticism and the fits he will cause D-Coordinators.
RB: Peterson, Gerhart, Booker
Great stable of backs with different styles and change of pace. Only question mark the fumbling of Booker, although exciting. If Caleb King is not picked up on waivers he could be a late season addition if Booker continues poor ball handling.
WR: Harvin, Jenkins, Berrian, Camarillo, Aramoshodu
A lot of diversity and options. Consistency and effort not lacking. Issue big play deep threat receiver is lacking from this group.
TE: Shiancoe, Rudolph, Kleinsasser, Reisner
Wow!! Best group of TE's in Minny as long as I can remember from top to bottom. Main issue is blocking ability aside from Kleinsasser.
OL: Johnson, Hutchinson, Sullivan, Herrera, Loadholt, Cooper, Love, Olsen, Fusco, Brown
Definitely upgraded from last year, starters and depth look good. Biggest weakness inexperience and depth at Tackle.
Special Teams: K - Longwell, P - Kluwe, LS - Loeffler
SOLID!
DL: Robison, K.Williams (suspended 2 games/roster exemption), Ayodele, Allen, Guion, Griffen, Ballard, Reed, Evans, Awasom
Starting 4 solid, big year for Robison to show worthy of promotion. Depth at Tackle solid although End depth & experience a bit of a concern.
LB: EJ Henderson, Greenway, E. Henderson, Onatolu, Dean
Very solid, swarming aggressive group, the strength of the defense.
CB: Winfield, C. Griffin, C.Cook, A. Allen, Burton, Sherels
S: Sanford, T.Johnson, Frampton, Abdullah, Raymond
Biggest question mark of the defense, other than 3 of the 4 starters who are solid, which is one reason 11 guys were kept.
Once the above roster was set, the team could start looking at the make up of the practice squad which can consist of 8 players. Some of the guys I think will be looked at:
FB: D'Imperio, Asiata
RB: C. King
WR: Iglesias, Burton and maybe Arcenaux
There might be a couple others looked at from Vikings cuts however I think the remaining spots will be filled from other teams espescially for OL & DB.
Although the writing was on the wall for the most part due to high salary and ability to realistically only be an impact player on Special Teams, the release of Heath Farwell was a big one for the Vikings. They also placed LB Jasper Brinkley on IR due to hip issue which will require surgery. Long time TE Jeff Dugan was a surprise to many although I believe justified as he had been in purple for 5 years and yet to significantly contribute, cant catch and average at best blocker, being a great guy with no ability doesnt win a Super Bowl. The other cut that was somewhat of a surprise was WR Jaymar Johnson, I had the Vikings keeping 6 receivers with Johnson being the primary KR/PR man, albeit in the #6 slot. However with the strong camp of Sherels as a return man and Lorenzo Booker, the Vikings apparently decided the roster spot was best used on OL or DB, which really can' t be argued as both are glaring weaknesses on an otherwise decent looking roster, although young.
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