Dean is going to be the one taking the fall,'' said a former Vikings player from the 2003 team.

It can tear a team apart or pull a team together, ... It's my job to pull the team together. . . . We'll just see how that plays out. I can't crystal-ball it for you.

I sold some of my tickets this year. I did. I told the league that and I told [team owner] Red McCombs that. I'm not going to lie. But if I'm going to be thrown out this year for selling tickets, then I'm a scapegoat. If I'm guilty of anything, I'm guilty of selling some of my tickets. I am not guilty of buying any player tickets since I've been made the head coach [in January 2002].

Rod is a really good run stopper, ... Playing against a run team, Rod is going to be in his element. If Rod had to start, this is the perfect type of team for Rod to start against.

I can still blow that whistle with one knee or two knees, and I can still yell with one knee or two knees. So my knee has no significance or bearing on us playing Green Bay or beating Green Bay or practicing. So that's a non-issue.

It's one of those things, I don't think I'd ever live it down. She's not only a former player, she's from my hometown (of Arcadia). She was a great player for us and I know it's special for her to come back.