Two interesting nuggets of information today, although neither is yet official.

  • Word is the Bears are looking at filing a protest with the NFL about having to play Monday night's game at TCF Bank Stadium because of concerns about frozen field conditions. We wrote about it today but a main concern here is player safety. I've already heard the argument that these guys should suck it up and play on any field conditions but there is a flaw in that argument. The NFL has made player safety a top priority this season. That means the league can't have it both ways. It can't on one hand talk about the importance of reducing concussions and have a process to hold guys out if they have one, but then on the other hand allow players to go on a field that could be like a skating rink. Either this is 1974 or it's 2010. If it's 1974 and we aren't worried about player safety this game should be a go and let's not worry about all of the other safety issues. I, for one, believe that would be a bad idea.
  • The Vikings plan to place a quarterback on injured reserve today but it's not Brett Favre. While we're told there is very little chance of Favre ever throwing another NFL pass, Tarvaris Jackson will go on injured reserive because of turf toe. That will make room for Patrick Ramsey, who was signed on Wednesday. This means Jackson's run in Minnesota is likely done, given that he could be an unrestricted free agent this offseason depending on what happens with the collective bargaining agreement.