BW Blog

According to Sean Jensen of the Pioneer Press, rookie Cedric Griffin will replace Fred Smoot in the starting line up on Sunday against the Cardinals. Good news for Griffin, who has played well this year, but this could be the beginning of the end for Smoot. Smoot should still get plenty of playing time in nickel situations for the rest of the season, but if you bought a number 27 jersey, it may be a “classic” next year. No word yet on whether Troy Catchthedamnballson will start Sunday. His performance improved slightly last week, catching almost half the balls that hit him in the hands.

The insiders have been saying for months that the Blaine stadium project was on the rocks, but the situation when public over the last few days. Anoka County officially withdrew its funding offer after they discovered the Vikings were talking to Minneapolis about the possibility of a new stadium. Apparently Anoka County assumed they had an “exclusive relationship” with the team regarding a new stadium. Ya, right. Like they say in the real estate business, “If it ain’t on paper, it didn’t happen”.
I was in favor of a stadium in Blaine. Not only because I live in Blaine, but the site itself would have been perfect for. Hundreds of undeveloped acres just off the freeway would have allowed for a stadium, practice facility, team offices, and, most importantly, plenty of room for a huge parking lot for tailgating.
Now they’re talking about a new stadium on or near the site of the Dome. This, of course, begs the question “And we’ll park where?” The parking for the Dome has never been ideal, but in the last couple years it has gotten ridiculous. All the lots between the Dome and the River are either closed or so small you might as well tailgate in your driveway. Rapid Park is a decent size lot, but it is too far from the Dome to be practical. Besides, it is located on the site of the new Twins stadium, so it will not be an option after this season.
There haven’t been any plans or proposals released yet, but I just can’t see a developer allowing for a decent size parking lot downtown. The land is to valuable to tie up for an NFL size lot that will only be used a few times a year. I’m afraid we’ll end up with a bunch of parking ramps and tiny lots scattered throughout the city. That may be the end of tailgating as we know it. Fans are putting up with the current situation with the hope that it will improve. But if this becomes permanent, I think many tailgaters may decide that it’s just not worth it. I think the Vikings need to pay attention to this situation because it’s no coincidence that the current home game sellout streak started about the same time tailgating was allowed in Minneapolis.