About that schism
August 26th, 2009 – 8:18 PM by Judd ZulgadI spent much of the late afternoon following up on ESPN and ProFootballTalk’s reports today that painted a picture of division in the Vikings locker room over who should be this team’s starting quarterback.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted a story that cited a source as saying a “schism” – a separation or division into factions — had developed over the situation and stated that while some players felt Tarvaris Jackson gave the Vikings the best chance to win, others felt Sage Rosenfels should be the guy. The story also had an NFL source saying, Favre had “little support” in the locker room.
So where did my reporting get me? Nowhere close to feeling that this situation is as dire as it is being painted. Let’s make this much clear: There are almost certainly some members of the Vikings who would like to see Jackson starting. Jackson might not have proven himself as a reliable starter in his first three seasons but he is well-liked by many of his teammates and from everything I’ve seen a good guy who often faces criticism head on.
Defensive end Ray Edwards made it clear during the offseason that Jackson was his guy and it seems highly unlikely that has changed. Guys like Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice also have spoken highly of Jackson in the past. Keep in mind, there are 80 guys in the Vikings locker room right now and the fact that not all of them think that having a nearly 40-year-old quarterback who reports late to training camp isn’t a good idea should come as no surprise.
But that doesn’t mean this is a majority opinion and it certainly doesn’t mean the locker room is fractured with two weeks to go in the preseason. If the Vikings get off to a rough start in the regular season there could be some grumbling about Favre and how his situation was handled, but that’s the nature of the beast in professional athletics. If guys who get paid to do this for a living are on the winning side enough that can make a lot of potential problems go away. On the other hand, if those same folks experience a disappointing season the natural reaction of some is to express their frustration through various forms of media. (As much as head coaches would like to see that change it’s not going to happen.)
So how did we get to this point only a week and one day into Favre’s tenure? That’s the best question in my opinion. I’m going to tell you at least three teams that likely saw the Favre stories on ESPN and ProFootballTalk today and immediately smiled. The Bears, Packers and Lions (I guess, you can throw them in) aren’t going to mind that a potential smoke bomb has been tossed into the Vikings locker room only a few weeks before the regular season opens. (The Vikings were more than happy to see the Favre situation serve as a distraction for the Packers last summer.)
Even if in the end it turns out there is only smoke and no fire.
49 Responses to "About that schism"
Good job Judd, there is nothing to this story.
Thanks, Judd! It’s good to know the Bears, Packers, and Lions want us to have a quarterback controversy, because they all have quarterbacks that are perfect and no one would ever make a joke about.
Thanks, Judd! It’s good to know the Bears, Packers, and Lions want us to have a quarterback controversy, because they all have quarterbacks that are perfect and no one would ever make a joke about THEM.
oops
“I guess you can through them in”?
Geeze kenny, you must really love the look of your own typing…
As expected, The Tribs two “Teedle Dee & Tweedle Dum(b)” wags are off in the clouds doing cookie-cutter Press work instead of homing in on how the practice sessions are going. The two of them, “Jughead & Scrotum” together aren’t dry enough between the ears to be seasoned sports writers with thoughts and minds of their own. They are VERY typical of what’s wrong with the eroded journalism profession. They are cynics instead of truth seekers. It is going to be a very looonnnggg season of ‘reading’ if this ’story’ is an example of the Viking Camelot. Can you two guys provide anything original other than sticking pins in voodoo dolls?
Gator,
What would you like to see?
they say opinions are like a$$es, evereyone has one. In Gators case maybe 2. I look forward to your storys Judd/Chip. You guys keep it refreshing. Keep up the good work.
I, for one, always look forward to your articles, Judd and Chip. Keep up the great work!
C’mon Judd. Ignore this clown - don’t even acknowledge someone like that. You obviously covered the hot item of the day - duh! He was ranting against all media earlier tonight. Probably a disgruntled former mailroom guy or something. Called us “you guys” earlier, probably a Puker fan.
Ignore him, please!
I noticed it on your chat today, but what do you think about the receiver situation? If they go with 5, a pretty good receiver won’t make the 53. Who, other than Percy (not gonna happen) can go on the practice squad?
Good job, Judd.
Schefter wants to make a splash with his new gig at ESPN, so he’s resorted to the Chris Mortenson technique… just make something up and yell it as loud as you can.
Hey gatoraide
*duh* favre is the story.
If you don’t like Judd’s “eroded journalism” try more enlighted reading, such as the Tehran Times or the Burma News International
Go Vikings!!!!! …… Win!!!!!!
Oh, and Gatoraide… Chip and Judd DID cover today’s practice on the AV video. Can we help you in learning how to click on a video?
Go sleep it off, lush.
Access Vikings was extremely accurate on off-season news. There were other stories besides The Days of Our Favre. But I agree, ignore the clown, he thinks Gatoraide is welfare for crocodiles.
How did you know he thinks that, Kenny? You just seem to know stuff, you know?
Yes, I do, Bud. Yes, I do.
Now, how do you click on Judd and Chip’s AV video for today’s practice, again?
farside - yes, opinions are like a**es in that everybody has one, but you failed to mention the real truth…and like a**es, THEY ALL STINK!
For those Tjack lovers in the locker room, ask them how they feel after the vikes start 6-0.
HOW DO YOU LIKE MY QUARTERBACK NOW!!
Kenny, I’m a little (annoyed) at Judd. He responds to the mutant who rips him, but not a regular who defends him and asks him about the battle for being on the squad as a receiver. What’s up with that?
But don’t tell him… he’s had a long day.
I don’t know if its so wrong for guys to at least “support” their teammate of three years. That is gonna happen. Just so they are smart enough not to burn a bridge they may need to cross.
Ray Edwards best watch hisself just a bit. I don’t think he is quite as indespensable as he thinks he is. And Bobby Wade is of a similar status. It wouldn’t take all that much to upgrade from those two. (And it would apparently make things a little quieter in the locker room.)
I agree, Mr. Ferguson, winning will put this all well behind us.
B. Grant you better watch your tone. You are referring to the all time NFL sack leader in Ray Edwards. Oh wait…no you aren’t. Ray Edwards is trash.
Yes, TGWW, I was referring to THAT Ray Edwards. Not the one in Ray Edwards’ dreams.
Who is worse at their position…? Ray Edwards or TJack?
Welcome to NY JETS football my friends. Same thing as last year. If the Vikes win, this will not be an issue. But if Banjo goes sour like last year, the room will split real quick. The experiment is in week 2, let’s see if the old guy has an answer. Freds hopes he does.
Mr Gatoraide was a bit on the rude side of town huh? Uncalled for. That dude sounds a little like Fred’s pal Tombs when Fred teases him too much.
I think “Trash” Edwards is going to be our starting DE opposite Jared Allen, though. Hopefully, he’ll have the same kind of year Jared Allen has.
When you play Hide and Seek with Jared Allen………….you hide.
I use to enjoy espn. I think they are bitter on favre as there reports earlier were all wrong (poor sources I guess). They were not in the loop to break story and are only trying to get back at vikes. Heck two months ago it was all news that favre would be missing piece and a great addition to help the vikes over the hump. Now since they were burned on outcome its all negative. I think espn reporters are a bunch of poor sports and cry babies. Guess I might watch local sports and fsn until favre lights it up and espn is forced to call it as it is. I agree tjack backers edwards and wade have big mouths tweet to much and just might overstay their welcome average players at best. Go vikes!
Has the bald headed genius announced the QB rotation for the next outing?
Favre for a half, Sage for a quarter, and Percy in the Wildcat for a quarter. That’s what my sources tell me. Same ones who reported that Favre had retired for good.
Freds, Gatorbrain was worse than rude. I’m a little cranky myself tonite with that Twins performance, but no call for talk like that. We got Judd’s back here (even if he does ignore a question from his regular while responding to a no-good…)
Hey freddy don’t take it out on bald people. Chilly is more like bozo the clown hair on side and back. He does look like cornheiser though!
Sorry I think his name starts with k
Judd ~ Nice post !!
But why are you talking to animals ??
You better send that gator to Doctor Dolittle…He might need some professional help ??…
Always look forward to my favorite Strib writers posts !!
JuggZy regularly gets tears in his ears from lying on his back while howling at some of the AV comments.
All that aside someone in the locker room must have looked askance when JDB handed over Numero 4 without compensation. Here’s a guy (Favre) worth a couple of billion signing for $ 12 million per while putting QB jobs in jeopardy. Then he’s just handed the uniform by the incumbent? That’s just not the way its done and guys know better.
Stuff like that might well break out into a schism.
Are we supposed to take this story serious? Does anyone? I guess that I would be a little p.o.ed about him not showing up for camp. But even if I were good friends w/TJack I do believe I could see how it might be a good idea to bring in Favre. No, this is one of the most rediculous reports ever, and not worthy of a response. Just pretend you did not read this.
I hate schisms. Mr. Page caused a couple in his day.
My sources tell me Favre bought JDB a Coke on the way out of the locker room the second day. Its good.
Lost, I hope you’re kidding. Thats almost like Michael Jordan coming to a new team and a third stringer has #23. When that happens…well, you just hand him the jersey and say, here Mr. Jordan I believe this is yours.
when de’bartogigalo or whatever had to re-sign Montana, he took him out to dinner and asked him what he wanted, Joe told him, and that was what happened.
i can see the same thing may have happened with Favre, but prolly not so contrived. the team more likely felt it might have to happen the way it did and just played it out.
…wait until the vikes leave mankato and then Favre joins, deal with the fallout after, whatever, just get him in
Standard compensation = $ 25,000
The number’s game: Edgerrin James was wearing his familiar No. 32 in the not-so-familiar Seahawks jersey, having been granted his old number by the team.
The only problem was 32 already belonged to backup cornerback Kevin Hobbs, but he was switched to 38. As for what it took to get his number?
“I’ll keep that between me and him,” said James. “But he’ll be happy.”
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_13212029?sourc e=rss
Players respond to reports by national media
By Sean Jensen
sjensen@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 08/27/2009 12:27:00 AM CDT
Reports that there is an “issue,” “schism” or “faction” in the Vikings’ locker room over who will start at quarterback was news to 13 players, including nine offensive and defensive starters, Wednesday evening.
To encourage candor, the Pioneer Press contacted players expected to make the final 53-man roster and offered them anonymity to address how they felt about who should start at quarterback and if they had heard any teammates discussing the “issue” or “schism.”
Two of the veteran starters spoke on the record.
“I’m in the mix, but I haven’t heard anyone talk about that,” starting tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. “The locker room is not divided at all.
“Everyone is going to have their own opinions, and everyone is not going to like everyone all the time. But we don’t have time for that dumb (expletive).”
Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams said he hadn’t heard any whispers about a possible rift regarding the quarterbacks.
“But if someone did say something, it don’t matter because he isn’t one of the leaders on this team,” said Williams, one of those said leaders. “The leaders are all together.”
On Monday, during halftime of the New York Jets-Baltimore Ravens game, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported that there was an “issue” as some members of the Vikings had wished the team would have abandoned its pursuit of Brett Favre and handed the starting job to incumbent Tarvaris Jackson.
Wednesday morning, Mike Florio of the popular Web site Pro Football Talk said there was a “faction” of players who still prefer Jackson. Then, by Wednesday evening, Schefter posted a story, citing a third “informed person,” who said there was a “schism” with players predominantly split between Jackson and veteran Sage Rosenfels. Schefter concluded that, according to an NFL source, Favre has “little support” in the locker room.
All 13 players contacted by the Pioneer Press were in full support of Favre as the team’s starting quarterback, although none said that was a slap at Jackson.
Several players said they were disappointed with the representation that Favre is the final piece to a possible championship team.
“One person doesn’t make a Super Bowl team,” one player said. “But I can’t say that it hurts our chances, either.”
Although he talked before the latest ESPN story posted, Vikings coach Brad Childress said earlier Wednesday that he was aware of the earlier ESPN report, as well as the posting by Pro Football Talk.
Childress said those were “opinions,” even though both ESPN and Pro Football Talk cited unidentified sources.
“Business is business,” Childress said, “and whether they like it or not, that’s the way it is.”
Childress said he hasn’t sensed any issues, a point underscored by 13 players.
During a news conference immediately after practice, Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson said he also hadn’t sensed any faction of the team preferring Jackson.
“I don’t know where that came from,” he said. “That’s news to me.”
Asked if it’s tough because of his friendship with Jackson, Peterson said, “The key word is ‘professional,’ and that’s how you’ve got to handle it.
“Guys come in competing for jobs each year,” he said. “If there was a running back they brought in this year that was being more productive than me or whatnot, then I’m sure I would be sitting on the bench. That’s what it’s all about.”
One starter said he was thrilled about Favre’s signing but insisted that Jackson has the potential to be a starter in the NFL for a long time.
Yet given the options, the starter preferred Favre for his consistency and championship credentials.
On his first day as a Viking, Favre expressed concern to Williams about how the former Packers quarterback would be welcomed in the locker room, Williams said.
The defensive tackle recalled that same uncertainty when he joined the Vikings in 2005.
“I told him to be himself,” Williams said. ” ‘We all got your back.’ ”
If anyone said anything, Williams suggested it might have been one of the team’s younger players.
“The young players get caught up, and some of the young guys don’t know (expletive),” Williams said. “You have a role, and you have to accept it.
“I’m one of the best run stoppers in the league. I accept that role,” Williams said, “and I don’t complain about nothing.”
Williams said he didn’t think it was necessary to address the reports with his teammates.
“We don’t have anything to talk about,” he said, “because we all understand. If there’s a good player, we’re going to get him. Brett was one of the best, and he could help our team.
“We got a strong core, and we will all stick together.”
Staff writer Rick Alonzo contributed to this report.
Frankly, I question any Vikings player who is upset about Favre and wants Jackson because Jackson is ‘a good guy’. Judd’s article seems to indicate the feeling was that Jackson is liked, not because the players think they can win with Jackson, but because they like him as a person.
That’s not the kind of winning attitude you want to see on a football team.
Good morning all…I don’t understand what the argument is honestly. Here’s my take on the situation. Favre is better than anything we have on the roster, PERIOD. People always seem to get caught up, myself included at times, on Jackson’s “potential” after he has a flash of ability to play….I’m tired of waiting for his potential, because we have the team to win NOW, and for several years all we lacked was a quarterback with the smarts and leadership ability to take us to the “next level”…Favre will make mistakes by being agressive, we all know this, but quit your complaining and be glad we have someone who at least knows how to read a defense and make the correct reads to throw the football now…sheesh
Well, it is BSPN after all. Just to sell viewership.
ESPN=National enquirer
Both of em are POS
ESPN, has been doin some shotty reporting lately. So bad actually that when it comes to NFL info. I will only listen to John Clayton or Chris Mortenson. Adam Schefter is a douche… never liked him anyways. He is queer bait.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/r6y/fudgepackers.jpg[/IMG]
[…] Even though nearly every local beat reporter has written and/or reported over the last two days that no locker room rift exists (see: Pioneer Press, Viking Update, Star Tribune), the national perception remained the same heading into Thursday. […]
seriously can we get some real reporting. like ten straight stories on schism. judd zulgad has got to be the worst can we get some real beat writers my god.
[…] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » About that schism blogs.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=3225 – view page – cached I spent much of the late afternoon following up on ESPN and ProFootballTalk’s reports today that painted a picture of division in the Vikings locker room over who should be this team’s starting quarterback. — From the page […]
[…] August 26th, 2009 at 10:27 pm. I think “Trash” Edwards is going to be our starting DE opposite Jared Allen, though. Hopefully, he’ll have the same kind of year Jared Allen has. When you play Hide and Seek with Jared Allen………….you hide. … […]
[…] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » About that schism […]
[…] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » About that schism […]
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