Week 2: Put the fingers away, guys

A quick Four Downs before Miller Bud Light time ...

FIRST DOWN:

I did a column for Sunday's kill-a-tree edition on how the NFLPA needs to holster the forefingers starting with Sunday's games. We get that you're unified, you stand as one, blah, blah, blah. We just don't want to see it on game day.

Use your solidarity to find a way to get this CBA mess off the field and onto a negotiating table.

Fans are upset by the raised index fingers, and I can't blame them. The last thing that hard-working people want to be reminded of on game day is how next March millionaire players and billionaire owners are going to screw up a great party.

SECOND DOWN:

Help me out. I don't tweet. A boss has suggested it, but until someone orders it, I'll stay tweet-free. Having never tweeted, I have to ask: Is tweeting like crack cocaine or something?

The league fined him five grand, or 500 bucks per exclamation point.

THIRD DOWN:

Yes, the Calvin Johnson play was ruled correctly as an incomplete pass. Yes, the rule is stupid and needs to be changed. And, finally, yes, it would be nice if everyone could move on. It's over, people. Move along. The Lions are cursed, they got hosed, but they also got 15 more to play.

FOURTH DOWN:

I think the Vikings will win a low-scoring game, 17-14. I think their run defense is still embarrassed from being gashed in the fourth quarter of the Saints game. I also think that'll help them stop a Dolphins team that is more committed to a physical running game than any other team in the league.

Once the Vikings stop the run, the Dolphins are done. Chad Henne will have a hard time not falling apart in the Metrodome, like most quarterbacks do when the crowd gets going. The Vikings' defensive line is taylor made for that crowd noise.

I did a story for tomorrow's kill-a-tree edition on the Vikings' run defense vs. the Dolphins' running game. I'll let you read it later, but it's safe to say the Vikings' defense is still PO'd that the Saints literally ran out the clock. The Saints had the ball for 11:05 of clock time in the fourth quarter. They ran 10 times for 51 yards, not including kneel downs.