Writing a good newspaper headline can be a tricky task for some; comedic for others.

Has it really been that long? Has everyone forgotten about Bryant repeatedly trash talking his teammates? Before the season began, he had written off his fellow Lakers and laughed when a few of their names were mentioned. Fast forward 82 games and now he's the MVP. However, in a critical game four at home, we watched Kobe Bryant walk off the floor with regulation time still on the clock; after allowing a 24 point lead to dwindle.

So I ask, can we please finally admit to ourselves that Kobe is not the type of player that makes his teammates better? He is the type of player that DEMANDS his players play better. Since he has won the MVP award, the media have long since romanticized the legend that is Kobe Bryant. But when it was time for Kobe to get his backpack on and carry the team to what should have been a win at home, he failed. He also had Pau Gasol (18.9, 8.4, 3.2) and Lamar Odom (14.2, 10.6, 3.5) who seemed to disappear.

To think of all the media members who started to compare Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan. Is this helping your case? Kobe's resume will still fall far short of MJs, but that is not meant to take away from Kobe. He is an amazing player and I very much enjoy watching his game, but in order to fully appreciate Kobe. You can't set the bar to Jordan.

Whether American, European or African, jinxes and curses are as common to sports as keeping score. They indulge fans with otherworldly rationales for their teams' ineptitude and grow powerful for fans and players who believe.

Brad Childress called into a morning show on KFAN1130 in Minneapolis, MN and discussed the recent Jared Allen trade talks. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't pull the trigger and give up the first round pick. Considering the draft class this year, I wouldn't mind letting the #17 go.

Looks like Jared Allen is on his way out the door in Kansas City after leading the league in sacks with 15.5. He has a meeting with the Vikings this week and a tentative meeting with the Buccaneers next week.

Tired of hearing about steroids and video tapes? Then take a look at this list of scandals from some lesser watched sports.

Minnesota Sports & Entertainment annouced today that an agreement has been signed to sell the Minnesota Wild and its related entities to Craig Leipold. The sale is pending approval by the NHL.

". . . because he wasn't playing good - enough." That comes straight from the mouth of Minnesota Wild coach, Jacques Lemaire. In this case, I must give the nod to Lemaire for doing what a Coach should do -- Coach.

You hardly see coaches call out star players these days, and I consider this to be a great hockey coach mind at work. Gaborik held out for more money during the 2003-04 season and now as the highest paid player on the squad, he should be expected to play like the highest paid player on the squad. Call me crazy, but that's how I feel about it.

I recommend some NBA coaches start taking notes...

Free Agent Carlos Silva might be close to penning a deal with Seattle. In the 2007 season Carlos Silva managed a 13-14 record with a 4.19 ERA and 89 Strikeouts. This makes him one of the top free agents this off season and could be a move Seattle is willing to make.

Dwight Smith (S, Minnesota Vikings) was cited for possession of marijuana and will likely play Monday night against the bears. Chances are he won't miss gametime until next year once his punishment is handed down by the NFL. Considering the resume the Vikings have when it comes to off the field distractions, this doesn't seem all that bad.

"Major League Baseball's winter meetings just ended. As general managers return to their homes, the annual flurry of free agent signings and contract extensions is in full swing. These deals aren't just about the money, though; they're also about bonus clauses and sweet, sweet perks. Here's a list of some of the more ludicrous ones players have received."

My personal favorite: Rollie Fingers.

Or should I say blowout? I'm having trouble deciding. Here's why...

The Vikings will be riding on the back of rookie sensation, Adrian Peterson. When the Vikings first met Green Bay this year, he broke 100 yards rushing on just 12 carries making him the only player to rush for over 100 yards on Green Bay this season. If he did that on just 12, Green Bay might have their hands full in keeping him contained. Fortunately for the Packers the Vikings lack a legitimate passing game. The Minnesota Vikings' combined completion percentage hardly surpasses 50% and has only thrown for 5 TDs. If the numbers don't impress you surely the signing of QB Koy Detmer will. For those of you who don't remember Detmer is a 34 year old quarterback who hasn't thrown a pass in a regular season game since 2005 and finished the season with a less than stellar 45.1 passer rating. Ouch. Maybe there's a reason the Eagles let him go.

The Packers will put on quite the offensive show. They will be running a spread offense against Minnesota, kryptonite to a struggling Vikings secondary. ( Antoine Winfield will likely miss Sunday's game with an injury.) Brett Favre will be looking for Donald Driver throughout the game, but let's not forget about their highly praised defence. All these ingredients will make Green Bay the favorite over Minnesota.

Minnesota needs big game on the defensive side of the ball in order to give Adrian Peterson a chance to carry this team to a rare win.

Final Score.

Packers 34, Vikings 21