Mission Miami very possible thanks to Childress's personnel decisions

Things highly anticipated that turned into duds: "Saved by the Bell: The College Years", the new and so-called improved Peanut Butter Twix without the vanilla cookie, and Gophers coach Tim Brewster's idea to have a large piece of sod from the Rose Bowl on display in the football building to serve as motivation.

Let me add one more that almost came to fruition in March: The Vikings' signing of free-agent wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh (yes, this is a Vikings story that is free). At the time, wanting him seemed obvious. He was the best receiver available on the open market. He caught a combined 204 passes for 2,043 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2007 and 2008 in Cincinnati. He had a 90-catch season in 2006. He tied for the NFL receptions lead in 2007 with 112 catches and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He can play out wide or in the slot.

The Vikings brought Houshmandzadeh into town and wined and dined him. Most importantly, they offered him Jim Souhan-like money. In other words, a ton. It turns out that would've been one of only a few mistakes by quasi-general manager Brad Childress. Make no mistake, Childress has as much input with roster moves as any coach outside of New England's Bill Belichick.

Houshmandzadeh has been a $40 million ($15 million guaranteed) bust for the Seahawks. He has gotten into it during games with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and has publicly begged for the ball more. When he comes to the Metrodome in two weeks, if he's introduced, give him a standing ovation for deciding to go elsewhere. With him here, the soon-to-be offensive rookie of the year, Percy Harvin, wouldn't be. Childress sat down with Harvin days before the draft, doing his due diligence. It's hard to envision a scenario in which that would've transpired with Houshmandzadeh present.

The Houshmandzadeh note is meant to highlight how good of a personnel decision maker Childress has been. That is only one of a few glaring mistakes along with the strong belief in quarterback Tarvaris Jackson for far too long (although I'm still a believer in T-Jack, just not with the Vikings) and the signing of linebacker/alleged special teams ace Vinny Ciurciu. Childress, even with a 14-3 record in his last 17 regular season games, can be questioned for his in-game decisions (the 3rd-and-9 play in the Baltimore game comes to mind). Where he can't be questioned: His personnel moves. Childress, the quasi-GM, has been right far more than he's been wrong, and for that he deserves to be lauded.

Since Childress took over in '06, along with some input from Fran Foley, Rick Spielman, George Paton, and Scott Studwell with draft picks, these notable moves were made: Free-agent signings of Pro Bowler Steve Hutchinson, linebacker Ben Leber, running back Chester Taylor, wide receiver Bernard Berrian, tight end Vistanthe Shiancoe, safety Madieu Williams (jury still out on how good he is), nickelback Benny Sapp and quarterback Brett Favre. On Favre, without Childress's presence and previous personnel choices, he wouldn't have come.

Childress definitely also had a say in contract extensions for Pro Bowlers Jared Allen, Antoine Winfield, and Kevin and Pat Williams, should-be Pro Bowler EJ Henderson, cornerback Cedric Griffin, and left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

As for the decision to trade multiple draft picks for Allen, behind-the-scenes guy and former Chiefs front-office executive Les Pico had a lot to do with that, but undoubtedly Childress was very much in the loop. The Vikings were able to maintain their second-round choice that year and landed starting safety Tyrell Johnson. Other draft picks during the Childress regime: linebacker Chad Greenway, Griffin, defensive end Ray Edwards (quietly playing very well in a contract year), the greatest running back on the planet, Adrian Peterson, receivers Sidney Rice and Jaymar Johnson, defensive end Brian Robison, starting center John Sullivan, Harvin, starting right tackle Phil Loadholt, and special teams contributor/linebacker Jasper Brinkley.

Following Sunday's win in Green Bay, Favre had his teammates put their arms together in the middle of the locker room and shouted, "On three Kick-Ass ... 1-2-3 Kick-Ass!" Thanks in large part to Childress's personnel choices, they most certainly are.