We wrote today that the Vikings should not have to apologize for winning on Saturday -- even if we understand the implications and the organizational irony of a victory at a time when many were hoping for a loss.
We obviously believe that, as should everyone with a competitive bone in his or her body. That said, there is a practical side to the issue as well. Andrew Luck is now almost certainly out of the picture unless he starts to slide in the draft for some reason. The Vikings will not have the No. 1 pick. They also are far less certain of having the No. 2 pick. They will certainly be no worse than No. 3 if they lose to the Bears next week, but a victory could cause them to slide even more depending on what the cluster of 4-11 teams do and how those tiebreakers would shake out. There is a real possibility, then, that USC offensive lineman Matt Kalil could be gone by the time they pick.
So the early-morning question for you the day after Christmas -- and two days after the franchise RB had his knee shredded -- is this: If not Luck or Kalil, then who do you take?
Don't worry: We won't dwell on football all day. Later on: The very special RandBall Wolves/NBA preview, complete with unapologetic optimism.
