Minnesota Vikings fans could loss their team and be left out in the cold if Minnesota lawmakers don’t act fast.  That’s because the current Vikings owners are threatening to move the team to Los Angeles if they don’t get financial support and assurances to build a new stadium.

Things have gone so far that the NFL front office took action Friday by meeting with Minnesota lawmakers about the importance of approving financial backing for a new stadium.

“There is no ultimatum, but we did clearly talk about L.A. We did clearly talk about that [being] an open market,” Minnesota Sen. Julie Rosen said. “I do believe there is a feeling in some legislators and even in some folks throughout the state that they would never leave. So it was good to hear from the NFL, and from a very prominent owner, that they do have the right to move or be sold.”

Could it happen?
Yes it could.  In fact a precedence has already be set.  Back in 1984, Colts owner Jim Irsay, citing an antiquated and inadequent stadium in Baltimore, moved the team from Baltimore to it’s current location Indianapolis (Baltimore regained an NFL team – the Ravens – when the NFL expanded for the 1996 NFL season).

What are the odds the Vikings Will Move To LA?
Who knows? I mean the possibility exists, especially if current Vikings owner, Zygi Wilf,  sells the team (rumor has it he wants to sell the team).  If the team were sold, the new owners wouldn’t have a history in Minnesota and wouldn’t feel sentimental about leaving.  The owners would be buying the team to make money, and if that means moving the Viking to LA, they would do so.

I wonder if there is an NFL betting line on the Vikings moving?

What should NFL fans expect?
Minnesotans take great pride in their long NFL history.  We can expect that the lawmakers will feel the pressure of their constituents (who are also Vikings fans) and approve funding of a new stadium – otherwise they will be voted out of office.

Don’t forget, other NFL teams have used to same ploy (threatening to move the team) to get stadium improvements, tax credits and other benefits from the home state.

All in all, I really don’t see it happening.   The Vikings will stay in Minnesota.

What would it be like for the NFL (and football fans) to lose the Vikings – Packers and Vikings – Bears rivalries.

No way!

Peyton Manning must have a thing for horses. He’s gone from playing with Colts to riding with the Broncos. That’s what happened Tuesday, when Peyton Manning agreed to a five-year, $95 million contract with the Denver Broncos.

According to the NFL experts, Manning picked the Denver Broncos after reducing his NFL wish-list to six teams, a list that also included the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans.

The big question is: Why did Peyton Manning sign with the Denver Broncos? Only he knows for sure, but here are three big reasons why the Broncos looked attractive to Manning:

1. Peyton is comfortable and familiar with the AFC. That knocks out the 49ers and Cardinals out of the picture.
2. The Broncos, playing in the weakest division, the AFC Central, have the best chance of making the playoffs. Check off the Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans.
3. Even after the Manning signing, the Broncos still have nearly $40 million in salary cap room. That means they have the funds to seek quality free agents to build around their new Superstar quarterback.

Before you go and make Denver the favorite to win the 2012 Super Bowl, think about this…

While the Broncos led alll NFL teams in rushing yards during the 2011 regular season (2632 total rushing yards/164.5 yards per game), they ranked 31st in total passing with 2179 yards (152 per game) and last in pass attempts (429), completions (217) and completion percentage (50.6%).

Perhaps the Broncos rushing attack is perfect for Manning and his passing game. Defenses will have to put the same emphasis on stopping the run as the pass. That’s something Peyton didn’t have in Indianapolis. This balanced offensive attack should minimize the pressure on passing downs.

Peyton Manning and the Broncos will be interesting to watch in the 2012 NFL season. We’ll see how well Peyton does getting off the Colts and hoping on the Broncos.

Could the Miami Dolphins be quarterback surfing in Indianapolis? It’s no secret that the Fish are looking to upgrade at the QB position immediately. To support this claim, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday, citing multiple league sources, that the Dolphins do not intend to make their current starting quarterback, Chad Henne, an offer when free agency begins in March.

Is Henne’s backup, Matt Moore in the picture to take over the reins? Moore took over in Week 4 after Henne suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. Moore threw for 2,497 yards, 16 TDs and 9 interceptions. Many NFL experts do not believe that Moore has what it takes to be a full time NFL QB.

If that’s the case, the Dolphins only have 2 choices to find a QB good enough to start on Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season. They can take their chances in the 2012 NFL Draft or they can go after Peyton Manning through free agency.

The Dolphins chances of getting an elite QB in the 2012 Draft are almost nil. The Dolphins have the 5th pick. The two best QB’s in the draft, Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Baylors Robert Griffin III, will be taken with the first 2 picks. Then there’s a significant dropoff at the QB position. Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill, projected by many as the 3rd best QB in the draft, is a work in progress and has played QB in 19 games in a spread offense.

The Dolphins need to use their 5th round pick to find an offensive lineman who can make an immediate impact. The Fish offensive line ranked 30th overall in 2011, allowing 52 sacks and 95 QB hits. At the fifth spot, the Dolphins have a great chance of getting Iowa OT Riley Reiff, Stanford OG David DeCastro or Stanford OT Jonathan Martin. Either one can immediately start and make the offensive line better.

So, the Dolphins are left surfing for a QB during the free agency period.

Green Bay Packer backup QB Matt Flynn, is a possible target. Flynn was picked in the 7th round of the 2007 NFL draft. His career NFL statistics show a QB rating of 92.8 with 9 TDs and 5 interceptions. Matt’s claim to fame is that he threw 6 TD passes in the last game of the 2011 regular season against the Detroit Lions. Sorry, I can’t see him as the answer to the Dolphins QB situation.

That leaves good old Peyton Manning. Although Colts owner Jim Irsay has made overtures to once again negotiate with Peyton, it is highly unlikely he will be a Colt next season.

Miami and Peyton could actually made a deal between March 1 and March 8, when Peyton Manning is a “street” free agent. This is the time where Peyton can deal with any time. March 8 is the deadline the Colts have to pay Manning the $28 million bonus to retain his service.

There are many concerns about the health of Peyton Manning but his doctors have ok’d his return to pro football. There are plenty of rumors that his passing ability has been seriously affected. But there are no facts to support it.

So the question is, “would the Dolphins be better with Peyton Manning at the helm?”. Of course they would, and I’m sure they have plans to go QB surfing in Indiana when free agency begins. The bigger question is would Peyton be willing to play in Miami?

That is the question!

More on Are The Miami Dolphins QB Surfing In Indianapolis?