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January
|  | | Ron Dixon and the Giants offense netted 518 total yards, compared to 114 by the Vikings. |
The year began with a humiliating 41-0 loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game, after which team owner Red McCombs said: "I have complete confidence in Denny Green, and we'll work through whatever our issues are, whether that means no changes or multiple changes. I have not even addressed that with him. … We've got a great football team, and we've got a great staff. We just didn't get the job done on Sunday."
February
Running back Robert Smith, the team's leading rusher for the past several seasons, unexpectedly announced his retirement. Some eyebrows were raised when it was noted that he told a reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer before informing Green.
March
The Vikings cut tackle Todd Steussie, who had criticized Randy Moss' effort in the NFC title game, after Steussie refused to rework his contract. Some observers wondered if there was a connection between Steussie's relationship with Moss and the team's request that he take a pay-cut to remain a Viking.
April
Desperately in need of defensive help, the team used its first-round draft pick on running back Michael Bennett of Wisconsin, hoping he could step in for the retired Smith. The team used most of its remaining picks in the draft on defense.
May
Randy Moss, lobbying for a new, long-term contract with the Vikings and suggesting that he deserves a deal in the $100 million range, decided to try his hand at pro basketball, just to keep his options open. Moss played two games with the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs of the United States Basketball League.
July
Moss got his deal, agreeing to an eight-year contract for around $75 million, including a league-record $18 million signing bonus, on the eve of training camp.
August
On the second day of training camp, the Vikings suffered a crippling blow when offensive tackle Korey Stringer collapsed and died of heatstroke. The emotional impact on the rest of the team rendered training camp an exercise in grief management more than preparation for the season.
September
|  | | Randy Moss isn't the first athlete to regulate his effort, but he's one of the few to admit it. |
After losing their season opener and in the process of losing Game 2, 17-10 to the Chicago Bears, television cameras captured Vikings players, including receivers Cris Carter and Moss, bickering among themselves and at coaches on the sidelines at Soldier Field. Coach Dennis Green acknowledged the incidents and made it clear that similar incidents will not occur.
October
During a 41-14 loss to Tampa Bay that dropped the team to 3-4, cameras again captured bickering on the Vikings sideline, again involving Carter. Afterward, Green said: "There are a lot of things that took place emotionally. We had more than one. I think we didn't have good poise today. It wasn't just one play. I think our whole team and coaching staff didn't do a good job."
November
The third month of the season was packed with off-field tension and controversy. Early in the month, with ceremonies to honor Korey Stringer already scheduled for halftime of the Monday Night Football game on Nov. 19, Kelci Stringer, Korey's widow, announced plans to sue the team for negligence in her husband's death.
As the team's season spiraled downward and rumors began to swirl about Green's future with the team, McCombs stepped in to settle it: "That's not even an issue. ... Let me end that right now," McCombs said. "I think Dennis is one of the best coaches in the NFL and we're glad we have him."
And Moss surprised everyone by telling Sid Hartman of the Minnesota Star-Tribune, "I play when I want to play."
December
Moss reiterated his earlier comment, saying when asked if had been misquoted: "Hell, no. When I want to play, I'll play. There is nobody on the face of this earth to make me go out here and play football. You know what I'm saying?" Later in the month, it is revealed that the Vikings, criticized for failing to control Moss, fined the receiver $15,000 for verbally abusing a group of corporate sponsors on a team bus. The fine was levied Nov. 12, the day after a 48-17 loss at Philadelphia, but the Vikings didn't announce the fine then.
Despite McCombs' earlier statements, rumors about Green's job security resurfaced. Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote: "If Denny goes, the reason will not be a first losing season. It will be because Moss is out of control, and Green hasn't been capable -- or perhaps willing -- to do a thing about it. " However, McCombs again says Green's job is safe: "Dennis Green coaching here is not any type of issue. Green and his coaching staff have done an outstanding job."
With the season's end approaching, Cris Carter looks forward, saying that he might not retire as previously speculated, but that he might not stay in Minnesota, either.
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