The future

Let's just ignore what happened on Sunday, February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.

Unfortunately, I can't.

I can be impressed and respect what the Green Bay Packers did during this Super Bowl run, however.

They went on the road and beat three quality opponents – Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago to get to the Super Bowl. Then they beat another quality opponent, Pittsburgh, to win it. That's earning your Super Bowl rings.

But the outcome, and what it might mean for the future, is depressing if you're a Vikings fan.

Watching Aaron Rodgers nimbly avoid sacks and zip passes into tight spots to Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. Watching James Starks give the Packers a running game. Watching Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji and Tramon Williams and Sam Shields wearing Packer uniforms – all of them young and all of them not even in their prime yet – and it's hard to envision how Green Bay won't dominate the NFC North for at least the next five years.

The Vikings have some great talent – Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Jared Allen, etc., etc. But they don't have the depth the Packers have. They also don't have Aaron Rodgers.

Hall of fame

Former Vikings Cris Carter and Chris Doleman didn't get voted into the NFL Hall of Fame on February 5. ESPN's Kevin Seifert briefly gets into why Carter didn't make the cut. I haven't read any analysis outside of Viking bloggers examining why Doleman didn't make it.

I'm pretty sure Carter will be voted in someday. But he might have an Art Monk-like wait ahead of him before it happens. Maybe it even take a veteran's committee vote to get him in.

I don't think Doleman will get in for whatever reason. And I find myself not really caring if Doleman makes it in or not.

He did play his first nine seasons with the Vikings, and 10 overall. But he became a bit of a suitcase late in his career. Going to Atlanta, then San Francisco, before playing his final season with the Vikings.

He was also part of some very talented Viking teams from 1987-1990 that disappointed me greatly. So maybe I still hold that against him a little.

Congrats, Madieu Williams

And I wish Madieu Williams play on the field for the Vikings was as good as his conduct has been off of it.

Still, better to be a fine human being than a fine football player.