Welcome to another edition of Wild Card Thursday, a day where SBG has no assigned topic and therefore usually rambles on about a number of incoherent topics. Let's look at what comes up.

Vikings Trade Randy Moss
Several news sources are reporting that the Vikings have agreed to trade Randy Moss for some linebacker, the seventh pick in the draft and a seventh round pick. Good God. The Vikes have traded their best player for one quality draft pick, one non-pro bowl starter and a late round throw in.

Let's review.

Moss is one of the best receivers in the game. That's a given. Very few non-delusional people would argue that Moss isn't strongly in the conversation for not only the best receiver in the game but one of the best players in the game, period. Furthermore, he's one of the best receivers ever and he's still in his prime. Moss is already 8th all time in receiving TDs. By the end of next year, he could be third, trailing only Cris Carter and Jerry Rice. He's 30th in receiving yards, but will almost certainly move up to 2nd overall unless his career is prematurely cut short. He's 49th in receptions, but again, can probably get to 2nd all-time. These numbers only begin to tell the story. He is the most exciting player that the Vikings have ever had. He draws so much coverage that the running game clicks. He creates openings for other receivers.

Some will say, well he's a clubhouse problem. Give me a break. I don't care if he's putting itching powder in Matt Birk's jock, the guys performance on the field more than makes up for any behind the scenes indiscretions. The fans DO NOT CARE if he's an ass or not. They care about watching good, exciting (and winning) football. Moss gave the Vikings a chance to win. This linebacker and the 1st round pick (when will it be taken? 7th? 9th? 13th?) will not be a fair exchange for the singular talent that Moss is.

All of this begs the question: what does Reggie Fowler think of all this? SBG would like to think that part of the purchase agreement included some agreement on Moss. Unless Fowler is a moron (not completely impossible, given his resume dustup), he had to have okayed this trade. Yet, there he was last week talking about Moss and how he was looking forward to having him on his team. Either Fowler is a fool or he is a liar, or both. Well, we know he's a liar, and he kind of looks like a fool, now, too.

For you conspiracy theory buffs, consider this scenario. Suppose that Red knows and knew all along that Fowler won't be approved and that Fowler knows it's true, too. Suppose that the deal has been done between Red and Glen Taylor. Suppose Fowler is a front set up by Red and Taylor for the purposes of clearing Moss out of town without getting Taylor's hands dirty. Fowler is set up as the owner-to-be, Moss is moved, everyone is pointing the finger at Red or Fowler, while Taylor swoops in and gets the team. Then Taylor, who has probably had it up to here with Sprewell and doesn't want to put up with Moss, gets the team without Moss. Fowler gets a few million for his trouble, and the deal is done. Far-fetched? Yes. Impossible? Hardly.

Whatever the case, the Vikings have lost an impact player and haven't gotten much in return. It's a sad day for Vikings fans.

Exchange
SBG had this exchange with a colleague today. First some background. SBG went to a lunch meeting and inadvertently ended up with a vegetarian sandwich. Avacado. Sheesh. Runs into colleague who wasn't at meeting. Tells him about sandwich. Colleague says he went to trendy restaurant and had lobster. SBG green with envy. Later in the day, SBG suffers major sugar deficiency and is forced to go for junk food. Sends email to colleague.

SBG: Veggie sandwich breakdown. I'm out of gas. I suppose you are still holding up.
Colleague: Yes, but not because of the lobster. It must be the cherries jubilee.
SBG: that's called rubbing salt in the wound.
Colleague: Sorry, I thought it was flaxseed oil that I was rubbing in.

Now, that's a guy with no mercy.

Speaking of no mercy, come back tomorrow when SBG matches wits with another local blogger in a game of Pepper! It should be good, as SBG is going to introduce a new twist to the game.

Also, DO NOT FORGET THE NEW WEEKEND FEATURE. Sure to be controversial.

SHOUT OUTSSBG sends a shout out to MR. CHEER OR DIE at VIKINGS UNDERGROUND. SBG thinks he's sponge worthy. Go on over and tell him that is the case!

SBG sends a shout out to JOHN SICKELS. Former ESPN writer (and Twins fan), he now has a new website called Minor League Baseball. His link is in the SEMI BIG BOYS category of SBG's links. Go and check him out.

SBG sends a shout out to SISSY. She's turning (gasp) 39 this week. Hope all is well, Sis.

SBG sends a shout out to THE MAYOR. Yo! The Mayor is turning 29 this weekend.

SBG sends a shout out to LUCY. Get that camera ready, girl!

SBG sends a shout out to NICK. Order from chaos.

SBG sends a shout out to MOSS and DREW. Lunch is on me. You guys are getting old.

SBG sends a shout out to HENK WEST. There must be at least one lawyer in heaven.

SBG sends a shout out to CRAIG. Don't get writer's block.

Remember: Friday is Pepper! Saturday is a new feature. Later!