A report emerged early this morning that the Vincent Jackson-to-the-Vikings deal seemed to be dead.

The sticking point appeared to be that the Vikings were offering a second-round and a conditional draft pick in 2011 for Jackson but San Diego wanted a second- and third-round selection in next April's draft.

While the two sides might have some work to do before the 3 p.m. (central) deadline, it's hard to believe that they aren't continuing to talk today. As we've written several times before, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith isn't going to give up Jackson easily.

He shouldn't. The guy is a Pro Bowl receiver and even if he only plays 12 games for the Vikings, he stands to make a difference in this offense.

There is no way the Vikings are going to surrender second- and third-round picks for 12 games -- there is little chance Jackson would remain with the Vikings past 2010, given the team's free-agent situation -- but obviously the organization feels he would be worth a second-rouonder.

The Yahoo Sports! report was that the conditional pick -- which might start as a fifth-rounder and go up depending on Jackson and the Vikings performance -- would go to San Diego if Minnesota did sign him long term.

Here's why the Chargers ultimately might make this move, even if the Vikings don't increase their offer. Smith knows he likely could get a third-round compensatory selection if Jackson eventually leaves as an unrestricted free agent. So why not take the second-rounder for a guy who has no intention of playing for your franchise ever again?

The clock is ticking on this situation and the stare down continues. If somebody blinks in the next four-plus hours, Jackson could be on a Zygi Wilf-owned plane to Minnesota.