There's a good chance that you've never heard of one of the greatest Vikings to ever don the purple, at least as a player. Scott Studwell, arguably the best linebacker in Vikings history, will have his name enshrined in the Viking Ring of Honor during a haltime ceremony Nov. 26. As a guy that has been a Vikings fan since the early 1970's, I was surprised that he wasn't already in there, and then when I realized how overlooked he has been both as a player and a front office executive it didn't really surprise me at all.
His time as a player was a 'tweener' period for the organization--his rookie season was in 1977, the season after the Vikings last appeared in the Super Bowl, and his career ended in 1990, right before the string of success the Vikes had with The Sheriff, Denny Green. The 1980's, with the exception of a deep playoff run in 1987, was a pretty forgettable decade, both on and off the field. Bud Grant retired, Les Steckel was hired and fired, the franchise moved away from the frigid Bloomington prairie and into the Metropimple, and the Vikings traded for Herschel Walker. If the 1970's were a decade of excellence highlighted with 4 Super Bowl trips, the 1980's were marked by mediocre football, some pretty bad teams, a historically bad trade, and one magical run during a strike-shortened season that slipped through Darrin Nelson's hands. On the fucking goal line. As time expired. FUCK! Sorry, better now.
During Studwell's career, the Vikings made the playoffs 7 times, three in his first four seasons as the Purple People Eaters aged and retired. All Studwell did was was retire as the Vikings all-time leader in combined tackles, defensive tackles, single season tackles, single game tackles, and soul crushing stares that would make opponents wet their pants. Seriously, you old guys and gals remember--he had that Mike Singletary stare down long before Mike Singletary was in the NFL. I mean Jeebus, he looked at me through the TV with that stare of his and it could give a kid nightmares. It was the most intense look I've ever seen on a human being's face.
I've been scared, really scared, four times in my life--three of them were in Afghanistan when I thought I might not be making it home after all, and the fourth was when I got to meet Scott Studwell in 2006 when I covered the Vikings for a now defunct website. When I looked into his eyes and shook his hand (his grip broke four bones, by the way) I thought he was going to kill me as he was smiling and saying 'nice to meet you, Ted.' He doesn't look at you, he looks THROUGH you. But Studwell and Mike Tomlin were the nicest guys I met in Mankato, though.
Most of today's Vikings fans know Studwell as the front office guy in charge of college scouting. If you want to completely discount Studwell's numbers as inflated because he was a talented guy on a bad defense, then fine. I respectfully submit you're wrong and HIGHLY recommend you not let Mr. Studwell know how you feel lest he burn a hole into your soul when he looks at you. I would still argue he should be inducted just based on his body of work as a personnel guy. Think about this for a minute--when Studwell joined the front office, they were just starting to feel the fallout of the Walker trade and how many early first round draft picks they DIDN'T have, and he made lemonade out of lemons, helping to find guys like Jake Reed (3rd round 1991) Brad Johnson (9th round 1992), and Ed McDaniel (5th in '92). All of those players became significant contributors to the success of the 1990's teams, and Studwell's efforts have increased over time, resulting in what is arguably some of the strongest drafts in club history starting in 2006.
But like his playing days, he never really gets his due credit for his contributions. He logs thousands of miles on the road looking for potential NFL players, and his department helps to largely determine who could and who couldn't be a Minnesota Viking. The superstars are easy to find, but it's the late round guys who could become an All-Pro where a team is built, and that's where Studwell's department make their money. They've had a lot more hits than misses since he's moved to the front office, and those hits off the field mirror the savage ones he delivered on the field.
Congratulations to Scott Studwell. Thanks for giving a shit and playing to the final gun when it looked like some of your teammates in the early 1980's weren't, and thanks for helping keep the roster stocked with enough talent that we can today call the Vikings a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
All I have is one request. Please don't look directly into the camera during your induction ceremony. I'm older now and my bladder isn't what it used to be, and even though I know you'll have no malice in your heart, there's a good chance I'll still pee my pants from fright.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Favregnugen Winners and Losers
Look, I apologize. I want to write more; really I do. I'm just busier than hell, so I try and get some comments up on Viva El Birdos, Daily Norseman, or Vikings Valhalla. I promise I'll try and do better.
I was a fan of Favre becoming a Viking two years ago, so yeah, I'm happy about it. Packer fans are apoplectic, the Vikings now have the look and feel of a legitimate championship contender, and the Vikings now have an inside track to get a new stadium deal done, which was arguably the main reason I want him in purple.
Oh, wait. Nevermind on that last part.
So who wins and who loses in this deal? Let's break it down.
Winners:
Zygi Wilf--In his time as owner, Zygi Wilf has become the anti-Red McCombs. He has been aggressive in getting talent, and when the coaching staff has asked for money to get a guy, he hasn't hesitated about writing the check. Wilf has given the coaching staff all they have asked for, and he is now reaping the financial windfall and fan loyalty that might, just might, start framing the stadium debate in his favor. Gov. Pawlenty's initial comments are far from encouraging, but a Super Bowl run can change a lot of minds.
Brett Favre--Yeah, he's a prima donna. Yeah, he loves the spotlight, but did you see the reaction when he landed? Proper, refined, and very Lutheran Minnesota flipped the fuck OUT. There was a helicopter following his drive from the airport to Winter Park, which turned into one part Beatles concert, one part Health Care Townhall, and no parts Lutefisk social. He is now loved in a place he was despised and he plays indoors, playing with a potentially explosive offense. He gets a chance to give the 'eat my ass' to Ted Thompson he wanted to give last year, he's got $25 more million in the bank, and he's on a team that is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Vikings Defense--The Vikings defense never said it, but there were times when you could almost feel the frustration of pitching a near shutout and coming up short due to offensive ineptitude over the last few seasons. Favre gives the offense instant creditability in the defensive side of the locker room, and puts them on equal footing talent wise. The defense can now breathe a little bit, take more gambles now and then, and not worry about falling behind by 10 points anymore.
Receivers--If Brett Favre can make Bill Schroeder, Javon Walker, and Antonio Freeman 1,000 yard receivers, then Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and Bobby Wade are going to Canton, baby!! Seriously, they have the chance to have career years.
Adrian Peterson--Peterson's stated goal has been to rush for 2,000 yards, and he has his best chance to do it. Defenses will now have to play the Vikings honest, and that means more running room for Peterson. He has been devastating running against eight man fronts; my penis gets hard thinking about him running against normal looks.
Sage Rosenfels--Look, I panned the Vikings for working on the Rosenfels trade for two years, but Sage has been a stand-up guy through all of this. It had to be tough to play solidly in your debut, then watch the statewide orgy over Favre take place, and then stand in front of the cameras and say you'll do whatever's necessary to help the team win. When this does become your team, Mr. Rosenfels, the locker room and the fanbase will have your back.
My Dad--He's 80, and has suffered through all the agony since 1961. He now lives down the street and we get to enjoy the games every week. We have our last, best hope for a Vikings championship in his lifetime, and I think I can speak for all Fathers and Sons out there when I say I want to share a championship with my Dad before he leaves. I'm not asking for a dynasty, nor an undefeated season, just a Vince Lombardi trophy. He gave me this love for the Vikings, and it would be sweet to share the greatest of joys with him after suffering through some of the most agonizing, torturous defeats in NFL history. He's ecstatic, so I am ecstatic.
Losers:
Packer Fans--'Losers' and 'Packer Fans' is about as oxymoronic as it gets, but SUCK IT GREEN AND GOLD!!! BOO-FUCKIN-YAH!!!!! How's it feel for your Idol to give you the ultimate finger and play for your HATED rival?
Tarvaris Jackson and/or JD Booty--One of them is gone. The numbers don't support 4 QB's on the roster, so unless the Vikes can get Booty on the practice squad, they will have a depth issue come Mankato this time next year.
The NFC North--The Vikes put a stranglehold on the division before the first coin flip. Green Bay and Chicago are playing for a wild card spot, and Detroit is playing for a win. Just one.
Brad Childress--Chilly really handled this poorly, but Favre's on the team, so I don't care. He's probably alienated Rosenfels and TJ, but winning can put a damper on hurt feelings. He pushed his pile of chips all in, though, and if this blows up in his face and the Vikes don't at least win a playoff game, I have to think he's done as coach.
Vikings Fans--As much as seeing Favre in purple made me actually laugh with delight, we saw a glimpse of the 'look at me' downside of Favre--the on again, off again drama, the late press conference, the media circus. It won't be a problem in about three days, but it will be a problem in about 340, because the Vikes signed him to a two year contract. So come February, we will be held hostage with all the drama we used to lampoon the Packer fans over. Get used to it and be an adult about it; we dished it out, so we'll have to take it.
I was a fan of Favre becoming a Viking two years ago, so yeah, I'm happy about it. Packer fans are apoplectic, the Vikings now have the look and feel of a legitimate championship contender, and the Vikings now have an inside track to get a new stadium deal done, which was arguably the main reason I want him in purple.
Oh, wait. Nevermind on that last part.
So who wins and who loses in this deal? Let's break it down.
Winners:
Zygi Wilf--In his time as owner, Zygi Wilf has become the anti-Red McCombs. He has been aggressive in getting talent, and when the coaching staff has asked for money to get a guy, he hasn't hesitated about writing the check. Wilf has given the coaching staff all they have asked for, and he is now reaping the financial windfall and fan loyalty that might, just might, start framing the stadium debate in his favor. Gov. Pawlenty's initial comments are far from encouraging, but a Super Bowl run can change a lot of minds.
Brett Favre--Yeah, he's a prima donna. Yeah, he loves the spotlight, but did you see the reaction when he landed? Proper, refined, and very Lutheran Minnesota flipped the fuck OUT. There was a helicopter following his drive from the airport to Winter Park, which turned into one part Beatles concert, one part Health Care Townhall, and no parts Lutefisk social. He is now loved in a place he was despised and he plays indoors, playing with a potentially explosive offense. He gets a chance to give the 'eat my ass' to Ted Thompson he wanted to give last year, he's got $25 more million in the bank, and he's on a team that is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Vikings Defense--The Vikings defense never said it, but there were times when you could almost feel the frustration of pitching a near shutout and coming up short due to offensive ineptitude over the last few seasons. Favre gives the offense instant creditability in the defensive side of the locker room, and puts them on equal footing talent wise. The defense can now breathe a little bit, take more gambles now and then, and not worry about falling behind by 10 points anymore.
Receivers--If Brett Favre can make Bill Schroeder, Javon Walker, and Antonio Freeman 1,000 yard receivers, then Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and Bobby Wade are going to Canton, baby!! Seriously, they have the chance to have career years.
Adrian Peterson--Peterson's stated goal has been to rush for 2,000 yards, and he has his best chance to do it. Defenses will now have to play the Vikings honest, and that means more running room for Peterson. He has been devastating running against eight man fronts; my penis gets hard thinking about him running against normal looks.
Sage Rosenfels--Look, I panned the Vikings for working on the Rosenfels trade for two years, but Sage has been a stand-up guy through all of this. It had to be tough to play solidly in your debut, then watch the statewide orgy over Favre take place, and then stand in front of the cameras and say you'll do whatever's necessary to help the team win. When this does become your team, Mr. Rosenfels, the locker room and the fanbase will have your back.
My Dad--He's 80, and has suffered through all the agony since 1961. He now lives down the street and we get to enjoy the games every week. We have our last, best hope for a Vikings championship in his lifetime, and I think I can speak for all Fathers and Sons out there when I say I want to share a championship with my Dad before he leaves. I'm not asking for a dynasty, nor an undefeated season, just a Vince Lombardi trophy. He gave me this love for the Vikings, and it would be sweet to share the greatest of joys with him after suffering through some of the most agonizing, torturous defeats in NFL history. He's ecstatic, so I am ecstatic.
Losers:
Packer Fans--'Losers' and 'Packer Fans' is about as oxymoronic as it gets, but SUCK IT GREEN AND GOLD!!! BOO-FUCKIN-YAH!!!!! How's it feel for your Idol to give you the ultimate finger and play for your HATED rival?
Tarvaris Jackson and/or JD Booty--One of them is gone. The numbers don't support 4 QB's on the roster, so unless the Vikes can get Booty on the practice squad, they will have a depth issue come Mankato this time next year.
The NFC North--The Vikes put a stranglehold on the division before the first coin flip. Green Bay and Chicago are playing for a wild card spot, and Detroit is playing for a win. Just one.
Brad Childress--Chilly really handled this poorly, but Favre's on the team, so I don't care. He's probably alienated Rosenfels and TJ, but winning can put a damper on hurt feelings. He pushed his pile of chips all in, though, and if this blows up in his face and the Vikes don't at least win a playoff game, I have to think he's done as coach.
Vikings Fans--As much as seeing Favre in purple made me actually laugh with delight, we saw a glimpse of the 'look at me' downside of Favre--the on again, off again drama, the late press conference, the media circus. It won't be a problem in about three days, but it will be a problem in about 340, because the Vikes signed him to a two year contract. So come February, we will be held hostage with all the drama we used to lampoon the Packer fans over. Get used to it and be an adult about it; we dished it out, so we'll have to take it.
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