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.

To pull together is to avoid being pulled apart.

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.

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

He could tear apart a dish washer and a washing machine and put them back together all before dinner.