The Vikings’ preseason schedule was released by the NFL yesterday. The Vikings will visit Lucas Oil Stadium against the Colts on either August 14 or 15, then host the Kansas City Chiefs on August 21 or 22, and finish out the year against the Cowboys in the Metrodome on September 3 or 4. The actual date of the games will be finalized in the coming weeks.

Ragnar: My personal idol

You may have noticed that there are only three games there, and the ever important third preseason game is not listed. That particular game will be played on Monday, August 31 against the Texans in Houston on Monday Night Football. While that may not be the greatest news to a lot of people, it’s extraordinary news for me, because I live in Houston, Texas. Besides Dallas, there aren’t very many feasible options to visit around this gargantuan state to see the Vikings play, so even if it’s only preseason, having the Vikings come to town is awesome news. Since I’ve been in middle school, I’ve seen the Vikings play at the dome every year at least once, and the streak finally broke just last year, so I’m ecstatic to be able to see them again this year.

What does that mean for you? Well, the third preseason game is the game where the starters play for the majority of the game before resting the fourth game. It’s the time when the coaches and players get a final, real attempt at running the offense before putting the final touches before the regular season begins. And as I have every intention of attending the game, I will have firsthand eyes on everything, and hopefully a camera as well, to get some pictures of the experience.

Of course, you will be watching it on ESPN anyway, but hey, it’s something neat.

Besides that, it’s still been pretty quiet on the Minnesota side of things. The draft is finally less than a month away, so we get to visit that oasis in the desert of the offseason, but news is fairly scant at the moment. Mostly, it’s just speculation, hearsay, rumors, and random analysis, most of it related to the draft at this point.

On the dreaded Jay Cutler front, it looks as if things are going to be fixed between him and his new head coach, Josh McDaniels. While it’s only been through text messages, the two are communicating, so that’s a step in the right direction for Broncos’ fans. Hopefully, this situation will just get put to rest, one way or another. I’m sick of Jay Cutler.

Other than that, it’s been a slow moving free agency. Thankfully, as stated before, the draft is rapidly approaching, and the Vikings have a first round pick this year (as of now), so we have something to look forward to. It was a little boring last year, but Jared Allen was definitely worth it.

That’s all I really have for now, so keep checking in for more news, rumors, hearsay, random analysis, and all that good junk. Until then.