Overflowing with Optimism

Despite the presence of a first round draft pick this weekend, people around here have been pretty damn giddy about the Vikings lately. Most of this has to do with the trade for Kansas City's Jared Allen last week. The Vikings aquired the NFL's sack leader of 2007 for a first rounder, two third rounders, and an exchange of sixth round picks. Combined with the indestructible "Williams Wall," the addition of Allen looks to make the Vikings defensive line the most feared in all of the NFL. And as all armchair fans will preach: a good defense starts up front. With increased pash rush coming from the line, the defense won't need to blitz as much. This will allow the linebackers and secondary to concentrate more on coverage and pass defense; an area where the Vikings struggled last year.

I've never seen such unrestrained optimism from Minnesota football fans and media. I feel I need to balance some of the optimism with a little glass-half-empty perspective. The factor that you can't control, and therefore don't weigh in to your Super Bowl speculation, is injuries. You have a league of full grown, 300 pound men smacking the piss out of each other for up to 20 weeks. If Allen or one of the Williams tackles gets injured, do the Vikings have the depth to cover that loss? The Vikings are also relying on young quarterbacking and recieving crews this season. The natural assumption is that they will all improve after another year of experience, but that's just an assumption. After all, did you track Troy Williamson's improvement through the past few years?

What I would be looking forward to after last weekend's draft and big trade acquisition if I owned a stake in the Vikings franchise is replica jersey sales. Here's a look at what I consider big names that the team should market:

Adrian Peterson - This is obvious. Rookie of the Year. League leading running back who puts up insane stats and rattles of jaw-dropping plays. Not only is he the face of the franchise, he also is widely recognized as one of the NFL's best new players. This will help in both local and national sales of his jersey.

Jared Allen - Not only is this guy the reigning NFL sack leader and an all-around engaging personality, but he also proudly wears the number 69. In fact, he even opened up a sports bar back in Kansas City that prominently displays the sexually suggestive number. This should be a big seller for the white male segment of Viking fans who can identify with another big white guy who wears a cowboy hat and has multiple DUI's.

John David Booty - The X-factor in jersey sales. If this guy ever becomes the starting quarteback, then they will sell through the roof. I think this will be a big hit amongst the female segment of Vikings fans. Just how the number 69 is bound to appeal to a bunch of immature, giggling guys; the name Booty printed on the back of a jersey would seem to appeal to immature, giggling ladies.