Brett Favre’s top target Sidney Rice could miss the first half of the regular season after undergoing hip surgery for an injury he suffered during the NFC Championship game against the Saints. He has already begun physical therapy to recoup so he can return before midseason.

As a result of this news coupled with the shaky state of second year wild card Percy Harvin, the Vikings have signed former Packer receiver Javon Walker. Walker’s lone Pro Bowl appearance was in 2004 when Favre was his quarterback. He hasn’t reached the 1,000-yard receiving plateau since 2006 when he was a Bronco.

Hopefully Walker will be revitalized playing with Favre again, because the Vikings’ lack of depth at wide receiver is becoming a concern. They need someone to step in and fill Rice’s 1,300-yard, Pro Bowl shoes. Bernard Barrian looks to be that guy, but he underachieved last season. Hopefully this year is different for the sake of the Vikings. Otherwise, this season will be a long one for Favre in particular.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

…And everybody knows it, including 49ers Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis, who sacked Favre on his third play from scrimmage in their Week 3 pre-season matchup. Although the 49ers won the game 15-10, the Vikings were just excited to see their man dressed in their purple and gold number 4 jersey. The media, AKA: ESPN, has not relented in the Brett Favre will he, won’t he waffling saga. This, outside of Vikings fans, has annoyed the hell of people. Even some Vikings fans have gotten sick of hearing about him (including the writer of this blog). One thing is for sure, once that guy goes out and flings that ball to a receiver, people watch. You can’t deny that fact. Tell me you didn’t watch that NFC Championship game against the Saints last year and witness a man who was laboring through the pain he endured from getting pummeled by the Saints defense. Tell me you don’t see the raw emotion and passion he has for the game that drives him. When he finally does decide to hang up those war-tattered cleets, his legacy will be one of hard work that is evidence of the unfiltered passion he puts on display every time he puts on a uniform.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

Warning: This article may contain information about Brett Favre. Regardless of how annoying talking and/or hearing about Brett Favre may be, it is evident that Minnesota’s chance of making another Super Bowl run depends on Favre coming back. However, Minnesota has other problems on their plate. But even with all of these problems, NFL Football Lines would suggest that the Vikings would find themselves in the playoffs, yet again.

Even before Favre came, Minnesota was a playoff team. However, the idea of Tavaris Jackson being the team’s quarterback is not a very appealing thought. While he has always had some raw talent, he has never been able to utilize it in winning fashion. If he took over, it would make the load even tougher on Adrian Peterson. Speaking of Peterson, while he may be the best running back in the league, he had his fair share of problems last year. Peterson lost six fumbles during the regular season, and also fumbled the ball twice in Minnesota’s NFC Championship playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints. And, Peterson’s backup, Chester Taylor, recently bolted for Chicago. So regardless if Favre comes back or not, Peterson has his hands full.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings could be looking at suspensions. When all on the field, the Vikings have an elite defense, which is anchored by their defensive line. But because of their incident with water pills, Kevin and Pat Williams will each have to serve four-game suspensions. Luckily for Minnesota, the beginning of their season is rather easy, as no opponents in those first four games made the playoffs last year. But having two elite players missing 25% of the season will certainly throw things off.

Overall, no matter what happens, the Vikings are still a good football team. But if Brett Favre, Kevin Williams, and Pat Williams couldn’t lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl last year, what can happen this year? Only time will tell.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

It is 2010, and the Twins are at it again. Although they were able to lock up Joe Maurer to a long-term deal, the Twins have had a hefty number of departs over the years. It even seems like former ace Johan Santana never played in Minnesota. But it is in the middle of May 2010, and the Twins are at the top of the Central Division. It will never stop amazing baseball fans how the Twins get it done. Fans always seem to associate the Athletics with being able to build up a farm system and win, partially due to the book “Money Ball”.

But the Twins are a team that should not be overlooked in this regard at all. With a limited amount of payroll and resources, they continue to find a way to win. Too bad the Yankees spend more money on their infield than the Twins do on their entire time, because if that wasn’t the case, maybe the Twins would be able to go further. The season is still early, but the Twins look like how they do every year. They are ready to contend, but the lack of money will probably not allow them to.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

If you are a Minnesota Twins fan these days, you ought to be pretty happy. Nearly everything you could have hoped for going into the season has happened. The new Target Field has gotten rave reviews, the club locked up hometown hero Joe Mauer to a long term deal, and the Twins are off to one of the best starts in baseball. All of the worry about Joe Nathan’s season ending elbow injury has seem to simmer for now, as Jon Rauch has been fantastic thus far in Nathan’s absence. Rauch has only given up 1 earned run and walked only 1 batter in 6 appearances thus far. If Rauch does begin to struggle as the games get more important into the summer, it seems as if the Twins are willing and able to spend money and go out and acquire a proven closer to finish off games for them. Usually in the bottom thrid in terms of payroll, this years Twins opened the season with a payroll approaching 100million dollars, putting them up there with typically big spending teams like the Giants, Mariners, and Dodgers.

While the Twins fast start has to have fans excited, prehaps the biggest and best news surrounding the Twins in recent weeks was the 8 year, $185 million dollar extension that Minnesota native Joe Mauer signed just before the season. As soon as Mauer signed the dotted line, you have to think that big market teams like the Yankees and Red Sox let out a collective scream, as they anxiously awaited Mauer hitting the open market. The fact is, Mauer remaining with the Twins, the team he grew up cheering for, is good for baseball. While he still got big time money, he certainly took at least a little bit of a hometown discount. Had he left the Twin Cities, where he is by far the most popular athlete, it would have been a crushing blow to the Twins franchise, especially as they try to sell seats and luxury boxes in their new stadium. Keeping Mauer ensures that the fans will remain happy and more than likely, that the team will remain contenders in the American League.

by Josh Weiner at the Sports Fan Blog Network