The Vikings want to make a big splash.

Other than over-spend for Visanthe Shiancoe, the Vikings didn't do much of anything in free agency last year. This year, things will be different.

Zygi Wilf’s plane left for Northern California yesterday, where Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian is waiting for a flight to Minnesota and hopefully a very large, long-term contract. Cincinnati defensive end Justin Smith has also agreed to visit this weekend along with his Bengals teammate safety Madieu Williams.

Fullback Tony Richardson isn't going to be back with the team, so Eagles fullback and former Gopher running back Thomas Tapeh will be in town sometime this weekend too.

The Vikings need to upgrade a lot of spots, with WR, DE, and S the most urgent of all. But, the quarterback spot is in trouble and they need some help. So far, the names being thrown around are not going to make anyone optimistic. They’ve talked to Houston about Sage Rosenfels -- the Texans would get a 3rd round pick for him, which makes no sense. And Buffalo wants to move J.P. Losman -- the Vikings apparently like him and would also consider sending a mid-round pick to the Bills for him.

There will be lots happening over the next few days. Hopefully Berrian and Smith end up signing with the team soon. As far as the QB spot goes...maybe the Vikings can still figure out a deal for Don McNabb.

I know, I know -- it isn't going to happen. But we can hope!

Somewhere John Madden sighs in relief.

Today was a great day in Cold Omaha. We got some work meetings out of the way, we played with young Maxwell, we got on the treadmill, and we listened to a little KFAN. And while we listened to KFAN on the way to our monthly haircut with the Number 2 clipper… they reported that Bret Favre is all set to retire.

Wait. What?

Turns out that he isn’t retiring – we think. But, there was a pretty convincing web site out there today that said Bret was hanging them up.

Really strange situation -- let’s hope Brett decides to quit. We are guessing this site is a hoax, but we don’t like him here at Cold Omaha and we want him to go away. We know some of you respect him…. Not sure why since he plays for Green Bay but…whatever.

This jersey is of no use to us now.

The Vikings are going to cut ties with all of their free-agents and that means Mewelde Moore is on his way out of Minnesota. The worst part about this is the fact that we are the proud owners of a Mewelde Moore Vikings jersey and now...well...the jersey is pretty much useless.

Some would argue that the jersey wasn't worth much when Moore was on the team, but we beg to differ. Moore was a kick returning genius and could have been used as a great 3rd down and change-of-pace back, but he somehow found his way into the doghouse of the Vikings coaching staff and now he's just another former Vikings running back who never lived up to what he could have been.

This Moore jersey, by the way, is the first football jersey we have owned since the Vikings road Joe Senser jersey back in the 1980's. We have a feeling another Vikings jersey won't be purchased until they find a real quarterback or a tight end who can actually catch 85-100 balls in a season. If Bryant McKinnie is finally put in jail, we might get a jersey of his too, just to say we own one.

The rumor of the day is that the Vikings plan to talk to Cleo Lemon about being their back-up quarterback. The team cut ties with Kelly Holcomb today, which isn't a bad thing -- but why in the world would the Vikings want Cleo Lemon? Ugh...the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Thank God the Twins are in spring training.

Also, Dwight Smith signed with the Lions and of course Troy Williamson was traded to the Jags. Mike Tice must feel like he owes him something since he selected him 7th overall. Putz.