Stadium Names

I cannot stand when a stadium takes on a corporate sponsor. Prime example: (baseball) Where do the San Francisco Giants play? The team will be playing in its third different named stadium since it was built. That staduim is not very old. Or how about Network Associates Colusium? Where? Who plays there? What city is that in? I think this problem is much uglier in baseball than football . . . a baseball stadium is ussually a work of art, where as a football stadium is more or less utiltarian (although it can have charm).

Quiz: Which stadiums belong to which teams?
a-Bank of America Staduim
b-Edward Jones Dome
c-Fed Ex Field
d-Ford Field
e-Lincoln Financial Field
f-Monster Park
g-Qwest Field
h-AllTel Staduim
i-RCA Dome
j-Reliant Stadium
k-Hienz Field
l-M and T Bank Staduim
m-Invesco Field
n-McAffee Coluesum
o-Qualcomm stadium

Options

1-Jags
2-Ravens
3-Broncos
4-Chargers
5-Raiders
6-Steelers
7-Colts
8-Texans
9-Seahawks
10-Lions
11-Rams
12-49ers
13-Redskins
14-Panthers
15-Eagles

Which teams do these Staduims belong to?
1-Giants Staduim (two answers)
2-Texas Stadium
3-Georgia Dome
4-Raymond James Staduim
5-SuperDome
6-Lambeau Field
7-Metrodome (even though it is a pretty stupid name)
8-Soldier Field
9-Sun Devil Stadium
10-Dolphins Staduim
11-Gillette Stadium
12-Ralph Wilson Staduim
13-The Coliseum
14-Cleveland Stadium
15-Paul Brown Stadium
16-Arrowhead Stadium

choices -
a-Chiefs
b-Browns
c-Bengals
d-Titans
e-Bears
f-Packers
g-Vikings
h-Cardinals
i-Dolphins
j-Patriots
k-Giants and Jets
l-Cowboys
m-Bucs
n-Falcons
o-Saints
p-Bills

The point being . . . You may be able to get some of the right teams to the stadiums in the first group, but the second group is much easier. It displays more of a local flare. It creates greater rivalries. Who says "We are going to go into McAffee Coliseum and beat the hell out of that team." It sounds much better if you say "We are going to go in Lambeau and beat the hell out of that team.

Answers to Group 1 - the corporate sellouts
a-14, b-11, c-13, d-10, e-15, f-12, g-9, h-1, i-7, j-8, k-6, l-2, m-3, n-5, o-4

Answers to Group 2 - The non-corporate sellouts
1-k, 2-l, 3-n, 4-m, 5-o, 6-f, 7-g, 8-e, 9-h, 10-i, 11-j, 12-d, 13-p, 14-b, 15-c, 16-a

Which was easier? See my point?

Vikings Review

Vikings Review - Players of the Year

Vikings Review Players of the Year Awards

This year was not as bad as the history books will record. While this year may have fallen short of making the playoffs . . . and off field scandals reared thier ugly heads . . . and we lost an all pro quarterback to a massive knee injury . . . and the Bears won the division with no offense . . . and Mike Tice got fired . . . and the Staduim is still being debated . . . Nevermind. This year frickin' sucked. But wait . . . there is one final test to determine whether the Vikings had a quality year . . . WE SWEPT THE PACKERS!!!!!!! SKOL VIKINGS SKOL!!!!!! When you don't make the playoffs, that is all that matters. Congrats to the Minnesota Vikings and thier successful year. It was a hell of a ride.

Vikings Review 2005 Awards

Most Improved player from 2004 - Brian Williams. While I hated the guy in 2004, he proved himself worthy to wear the horns this year. Williams 4 picks doubled the league average, and his 32 tackles were 5 more than the league average. Considering he was just a worthless piece of burnt meat last year . . . he did pretty good for himself.

Best running back - Yeah, this one is a little tougher . . . and not for good reasons. Mewalde Moore with 662 yards rushing and a 4.1 average with 1 touchdown. He did show heart though, unlike some other players that will not be named *cough* Bennett *cough*. Overall the running game sucked. The blame might not be entirely on the backs though, the offensive line may have something to do with this. But you work with the indgrediants that you are given.

Best Quarterback - Brad Johnson. While his numbers were not stellar, they did beat Daunte's. Although Daunte was coming around just about the time he got injured. We will never know what would have happend. Daunte did lead the great comeback in the Green Bay game. But Johnson proved to be a great leader and competitor on the field. He did not make mistakes, but he did not move the ball unless he had to. He commendeered a long winning streak, giving the fans a taste of good times. Good Job Brad.

Best Wide Reciever/ Tight End - Jermaine Wiggins. There were a few key players catching the ball this year, most showed great heart and athleticism, but Wiggins was the go to guy with a team leading 69 receptions for a team second best 568 yards. Travis Taylor does deserve honorable mention though. Congrats Wiggins . . . you are now hold a special place in Vikings fans hearts.

Best Offensive Lineman - Brian McKinnie. He is about the only guy on the line that deserved to have his name on the back of a Vikings jersey. He may be an asshole, he may be a money hungry dick . . . but he is a damn good lineman.

Best Defensive Back - Darrin Sharper. Come on . . . the guy had 9 picks this year, made the Pro Bowl, and keyed us in to the Packers offense, and nearly single handely defeated the Eli and the Giants this year. Honorable mentions do go out to Winfield though with 4 picks and a team leading 89 tackles.

Best Linebacker - Sam Cowart. The guy had 84 tackles (71 solo) and 2 sacks. Decent, nothing spectacular. But it was the best out of the linebacking corp.

Best Defensive Lineman - Big Pat Williams. You have got to love that guy, he played everygame with intensity. He only had 1.5 sacks, but he was a force to be reckoned with on the line, breaking the pocket for others.

Best Special teams player - Koren Robinson. The guy showed the greatest heart out of the whole team this year, and he used to be a superstar . . . or was expected to be a superstar. We settled down this year, took his opportunities when they presented themselves, and then ran them for touchdowns. If the Vikings would have used K-Rob wisely . . . he could have gotten the nod for wide reciever of the year from Vikings Review.

Offensive Player of the Year - Wiggins

Defensive Player of the Year - Sharper

Best Rookie - Kluwe, Mosley, James, Fason . . . Kluwe, Mosley, James . . . Kluwe, James . . . Kluwe, James . . . Kluwe, James . . . screw it .. . Kluwe AND James. Both played the game like a 5 year vets. A very nice face on things to come.

Vikings Review Minnesota Vikings Player of the Year - Paul Edinger . . . for beating the Packers twice. But seriously, Wiggins. The guy is fast becoming a staple in Minnesota with sure hands and extra ordinary leaping ability . . . Wiggins shines above the rest. Honorable mentions to Brad Johnson, Kluwe, Koren Robinson, and the entire defense.

Skol Vikings . . . lets win the offseason?