I can't recall so many Vikings fans being worked up about an undrafted free agent being jettisoned as they were when Hank Baskett was traded to Philadelphia before the 2006 season.
Baskett, if memory serves, had come to an offseason camp with the Vikings and shortly thereafter was sent to Philadelphia for Billy McMullen. Brad Childress, who was entering his first season as an NFL coach, was familiar with McMullen after having been his offensive coordinator with the Eagles and clearly thought Baskett was expendable.
That was then.
Tonight, Baskett is on his way back to the Twin Cities to sign a one-year deal with the Vikings after being released by the Eagles for the second time in his career. As far as the fans? Well, it's pretty obvious by many of the comments on the previous blog that the love they felt for Baskett in 2006 is now a feeling of contempt that really is being directed at the Vikings.
The reason is because after days of talk that Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson might be headed to Minnesota, the only sure thing is that Baskett is coming this way. Obviously, you can't compare Jackson -- a No. 1 type receiver-- to Baskett -- a guy who safely could be labeled a journeyman at this point.
But the real question is this: Are these two moves related?
Baskett is 6-foot-4 and Jackson is 6-5, so the former does provide Brett Favre with the big target that he currently lacks. But common sense says there is NO way anyone at Winter Park is saying that Baskett is the equal of Jackson and thus cancels him out.
More likely, the Vikings wanted Baskett because they badly need depth at receiver, especially with Percy Harvin likely being limited or out of practice this week due to a strained right hip. Jackson also couldn't play for the Vikings, if he's obtained until Oct. 17, so he would be no immediate help.