As expected, the two elite college quarterbacks were selected 1 and 2 in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Indianapolis Colts selected Andrew Luck

as the first player and the Washington Redskins selected Robert Griffin III with the second pick. Here are the results 32 picks of the first round.

Stay tuned for future updates on the 2012 NFL Draft

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!

Manning To Ride With Broncos

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.