In the aftermath of Dennis Green's death, NFL.com has a video feature of the former Vikings coach's best mic'd up moments from 1998, when his team went 15-1 before losing to Atlanta in overtime of the NFC title game.
It's hard to forget just how great the Vikings, with Randy Moss as a rookie, were that season. That team completely transformed the fan base and franchise — arguably paving the way, eventually, for U.S. Bank Stadium to be built.
But the finish to that year, with Gary Anderson missing the field goal, Green having his offensive juggernaut take a knee and then the dream suddenly dying — well, that's hard to forget, too. The memories coexist with one another, but uneasily.
As such, the video compilation — while worth watching, as it clocks in at just under 90 seconds — is also a mixed bag. It's strange to watch it in retrospect, knowing what is coming at the end.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. mrand@startribune.com
