ESPN NFL

When you're talking about the NFC North, you're talking about a division that could be easily won at 8-8. But outside of football you're also talking about a division that seems rife with weird things happening every week. It hasn't been that long since Detroit Lions receiver Charles Rogers was suspended for four games for substance abuse, and now the Vikings are embroiled in a controversy during their off week!

NFL players have to start realizing that their every action is going to be publicized no matter how small because of their stature in the public's eye. You'd think that players would know that already, and especially in Minnesota, where it was only a couple of years ago that former WR Randy Moss was entangled in a controversy when he was involved in an altercation with a traffic officer. This past offseason, RB Onterrio Smith was caught with a contraption used to avoid positive drug tests and is now under suspension. Heck, even head coach Mike Tice has been mixed up in controversy after he sold his Super Bowl tickets.

Whatever happens to the Vikings and this new controversy, they need to establish a sense of professionalism because this doesn't even come close to resembling a professional organization. They have to change the culture somehow and someway because the last few seasons have been an embarrassment for this proud organization and its fan base. Heck, they've had problems even getting their draft choice in on time!

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider